CVE-2024-2173: Google Chrome Use-After-Free 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. This vulnerability exists in Chrome versions prior to 122.0.6261.111 and can be exploited by a remote attacker through a specially crafted HTML page. When a user visits a malicious webpage, the attacker can trigger out-of-bounds memory access, potentially leading to information disclosure, arbitrary code execution, or browser crashes.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to perform out-of-bounds memory access through malicious web content, potentially compromising browser security and user data without requiring any special privileges.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 122.0.6261.111
• Fedora 40 (via bundled Chromium packages)

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

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), affecting the V8 JavaScript engine which powers Chrome's JavaScript execution. V8 is a highly optimized JIT (Just-In-Time) compiler that processes JavaScript code and converts it to machine code for execution.

The out-of-bounds memory access flaw occurs when V8 improperly handles certain JavaScript operations, allowing memory access beyond the boundaries of allocated buffers. This can be exploited remotely when a victim navigates to a malicious webpage containing specially crafted JavaScript code or HTML content.

The vulnerability requires user interaction (visiting a malicious page), but once triggered, no additional privileges are needed for exploitation. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to read or write memory outside intended boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandbox or information disclosure.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-2173 lies in improper bounds checking within V8's memory handling routines. When processing certain JavaScript operations, the engine fails to adequately validate array indices or pointer arithmetic, allowing memory operations to access data outside the intended buffer boundaries. This type of flaw typically occurs in optimized code paths where performance considerations may have inadvertently relaxed security checks.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2024-2173 is network-based, requiring a victim to visit an attacker-controlled webpage or a legitimate site compromised with malicious content. The attack flow typically involves:

1. Attacker crafts a malicious HTML page containing specially designed JavaScript code
2. Victim navigates to the malicious page using a vulnerable Chrome version
3. V8 engine processes the malicious JavaScript, triggering the out-of-bounds memory access
4. Attacker achieves memory corruption, potentially leading to code execution or information leakage

The vulnerability can be delivered through various means including phishing emails with malicious links, compromised advertisements (malvertising), or watering hole attacks targeting specific user groups. For technical details, refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-2173

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual Chrome browser crashes or hangs when visiting specific websites
• Chrome processes consuming abnormally high memory or CPU resources
• Detection of JavaScript code with suspicious array manipulation patterns or type confusion techniques
• Network traffic to known malicious domains serving exploit kits targeting Chrome/V8

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for Chrome crash reports related to V8 or JavaScript execution failures
• Deploy browser-based endpoint detection to identify exploitation attempts targeting V8
• Implement network security controls to block access to known malicious domains
• Use SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect anomalous browser process behavior indicative of memory corruption exploitation

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Chrome's built-in crash reporting and monitor for V8-related crashes across the organization
• Implement centralized logging of browser events and security warnings
• Configure endpoint detection solutions to alert on suspicious Chrome renderer process activity
• Monitor for outbound connections from Chrome to suspicious destinations following page loads

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-2173

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 122.0.6261.111 or later immediately across all systems
• Enable automatic updates for Chrome to ensure timely patching of future vulnerabilities
• For Fedora 40 users, apply the latest Chromium package updates via the package manager
• Consider implementing browser isolation solutions for high-risk users

Patch Information

Google has released a security update addressing this vulnerability in Chrome version 122.0.6261.111. The fix implements proper bounds checking in the affected V8 code paths to prevent out-of-bounds memory access. Organizations should prioritize deployment of this update across all managed endpoints.

For detailed patch information, see the Google Chrome Update Announcement. Fedora users can obtain the patched version through the Fedora Package Announcement.

Workarounds

• Disable JavaScript execution in Chrome for untrusted websites using browser settings or extensions (note: this may break website functionality)
• Implement strict content security policies to limit JavaScript execution from untrusted sources
• Use browser isolation technologies to contain potential exploitation attempts
• Consider using alternative browsers temporarily if immediate patching is not possible

# Verify Chrome version (should be 122.0.6261.111 or later)
google-chrome --version

# Fedora users - update Chromium package
sudo dnf update chromium

# Force Chrome update check
# Navigate to: chrome://settings/help
# Or use enterprise deployment tools for managed environments