CVE-2024-3176: Google Chrome Use-After-Free Vulnerability

CVE-2024-3176 Overview

CVE-2024-3176 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in SwiftShader, the CPU-based OpenGL ES implementation used by Google Chrome. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 117.0.5938.62 and allows a remote attacker to perform an out-of-bounds memory write by serving a crafted HTML page to a target. The issue is tracked under CWE-787 and was rated High severity by the Chromium security team. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, typically visiting an attacker-controlled web page, and can lead to memory corruption within the renderer process.

Critical Impact
A remote attacker can trigger memory corruption in Chrome's SwiftShader component via a malicious HTML page, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution within the renderer sandbox.

Affected Products

Google Chrome versions prior to 117.0.5938.62
Chromium-based browsers using the vulnerable SwiftShader component
Desktop builds across Windows, macOS, and Linux

Discovery Timeline

2024-07-16 - CVE-2024-3176 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2025-03-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-3176

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in SwiftShader, Chrome's software-based graphics renderer that emulates GPU functionality when hardware acceleration is unavailable. An out-of-bounds write occurs when the component writes data past the boundaries of an allocated buffer. Attackers can leverage this primitive to corrupt adjacent memory structures within the renderer process. The flaw is reachable through standard web content, meaning any user visiting a crafted page can be targeted.

Memory corruption in SwiftShader is particularly relevant because the component processes attacker-controlled rendering instructions parsed from WebGL or related graphics APIs. Exploitation typically chains with a sandbox escape to achieve code execution on the host system.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper bounds validation during memory write operations inside SwiftShader. The component fails to enforce buffer length checks before performing writes triggered by crafted graphics workloads. This classifies the issue under CWE-787, Out-of-Bounds Write.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts a malicious HTML page that issues crafted graphics commands processed by SwiftShader. When the victim browses to the page, the rendering pipeline triggers the out-of-bounds write. No prior authentication is required. Detailed technical context is documented in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry and the corresponding Google Chrome Stable Update.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-3176

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome renderer process crashes with memory access violations after visiting unfamiliar web pages
Browser telemetry indicating SwiftShader fallback usage on systems without GPU acceleration
Unexpected child processes spawned from chrome.exe shortly after web navigation

Detection Strategies

Inventory Chrome installations and flag any build below 117.0.5938.62 as vulnerable
Monitor endpoint telemetry for renderer process crashes correlated with WebGL or graphics workloads
Inspect browser update channels to confirm automatic updates have applied on managed endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

Collect Chrome crash reports and forward them to a centralized log platform for analysis
Alert on anomalous process trees originating from Chrome renderer processes
Track outbound connections to newly registered or low-reputation domains delivering HTML content with WebGL payloads

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-3176

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 117.0.5938.62 or later on all managed endpoints
Verify Chromium-based browsers and embedded WebViews incorporate the patched SwiftShader build
Restart browser sessions after patch deployment to ensure the vulnerable renderer is unloaded

Patch Information

Google addressed the vulnerability in Chrome stable channel release 117.0.5938.62. Administrators should validate deployment status through enterprise update mechanisms and refer to the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory for release details.

Workarounds

Enforce hardware GPU acceleration where available to reduce reliance on SwiftShader fallback rendering
Restrict execution of untrusted WebGL content through enterprise browser policies
Apply network-level filtering to block known malicious domains serving crafted HTML payloads

bash

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

# Force Chrome policy to require minimum version via enterprise policy (example)
# /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed/version_policy.json
# {
#   "BrowserSwitcherEnabled": false,
#   "DefaultBrowserSettingEnabled": true
# }