CVE-2024-2173: Google Chrome Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2024-2173 Overview

CVE-2024-2173 is an out-of-bounds memory access vulnerability in the V8 JavaScript engine used by Google Chrome. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 122.0.6261.111 and is classified under [CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write]. A remote attacker can exploit this issue by serving a crafted HTML page to a target browser. Successful exploitation results in out-of-bounds memory access within the renderer process. Chromium engineers rated the security severity as High, and the issue also affects Fedora 40 packages bundling vulnerable Chromium builds.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers can trigger out-of-bounds memory access in V8 through a crafted web page, potentially leading to renderer compromise and arbitrary code execution within the browser sandbox.

Affected Products

Google Chrome versions prior to 122.0.6261.111
Fedora 40 (chromium package distributions)
Chromium-based browsers incorporating the vulnerable V8 build

Discovery Timeline

2024-03-06 - CVE-2024-2173 published to NVD
2025-03-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-2173

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in V8, the JavaScript and WebAssembly engine that powers Google Chrome. V8 performs just-in-time (JIT) compilation and aggressive optimization of JavaScript code, which requires tight coupling between runtime type assumptions and memory layouts. When the engine processes crafted JavaScript embedded in an HTML page, it accesses memory outside the bounds of an allocated buffer or object.

Out-of-bounds memory access in V8 typically allows an attacker to read or write adjacent heap memory. This primitive can be chained to corrupt object metadata, leak pointers, or hijack control flow within the renderer process. Once the renderer is compromised, attackers commonly pivot to sandbox escape exploits to achieve full system code execution.

The issue is tracked in Chromium Issue #325893559 and was addressed in the stable channel update documented in the Chrome Releases blog.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper bounds enforcement during V8's handling of JavaScript objects or typed array operations. V8 relies on speculative optimizations that assume specific object shapes and index ranges. When those assumptions are violated by attacker-controlled input, the generated code reads or writes memory beyond the intended boundary, satisfying the [CWE-787] pattern.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires the victim to navigate to or render attacker-controlled HTML. The attacker hosts a malicious page containing crafted JavaScript designed to trigger the out-of-bounds condition in V8. User interaction is required, typically clicking a link or loading an embedded resource. No authentication or prior access is needed. Because the network attack surface is the browser itself, drive-by compromise via malicious advertisements, compromised sites, or phishing links is feasible.

The vulnerability mechanism is described in vendor advisories rather than public proof-of-concept code. See the Chromium issue tracker entry for technical context once restrictions are lifted.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-2173

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome renderer process crashes correlated with visits to untrusted URLs, often logged as RENDERER_PROCESS_CRASHED events
Unexpected child processes spawning from chrome.exe or chrome on Linux following web browsing activity
Outbound connections from browser processes to low-reputation domains hosting heavily obfuscated JavaScript

Detection Strategies

Inventory Chrome installations across the fleet and flag any version below 122.0.6261.111
Monitor browser telemetry and crash reports for anomalous V8 termination signatures originating from web content
Correlate proxy and DNS logs with browser process activity to identify access to known exploit kit infrastructure

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable enterprise reporting through Chrome Browser Cloud Management to centralize version and crash data
Forward endpoint process telemetry to a SIEM or data lake for behavioral analysis of browser-spawned processes
Alert on Chrome child processes performing file writes to startup locations or executing shell interpreters

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-2173

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 122.0.6261.111 or later on all Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints
Apply the corresponding chromium package update on Fedora 40 systems as published in the Fedora package announcement
Restart browser processes after patching to ensure the vulnerable V8 build is no longer loaded in memory

Patch Information

Google released the fix in the stable channel update for desktop on March 6, 2024, shipping Chrome 122.0.6261.111 for Mac and Linux and 122.0.6261.111/.112 for Windows. Details are published in the Chrome Releases announcement. Chromium-based browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi require equivalent vendor updates that incorporate the patched V8 engine.

Workarounds

Disable JavaScript for untrusted sites using Chrome site settings or enterprise policy DefaultJavaScriptSetting
Restrict browsing to allow-listed domains via web proxy or DNS filtering until patches are deployed
Deploy Chrome enterprise policy to enforce automatic updates and prevent users from running outdated builds

bash

# Verify installed Chrome version on Linux
google-chrome --version

# Update Chromium on Fedora 40
sudo dnf update chromium

# Enforce minimum Chrome version via enterprise policy (Windows registry)
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v TargetVersionPrefix /t REG_SZ /d "122.0.6261.111" /f