CVE-2024-5839: Google Chrome RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-5839 Overview

CVE-2024-5839 is an inappropriate implementation vulnerability in the Memory Allocator component of Google Chrome prior to version 126.0.6478.54. This flaw allows a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation operations, which can lead to integrity violations when users visit malicious web pages.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit heap corruption through specially crafted HTML pages, potentially compromising browser integrity and allowing unauthorized data modification.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 126.0.6478.54
• Fedora Project Fedora 39
• Fedora Project Fedora 40

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-06-11 - CVE-2024-5839 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-5839

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-474 (Use of Function with Inconsistent Implementations), indicating that the Memory Allocator in Chrome exhibits behavior that can lead to exploitable conditions. The inappropriate implementation allows attackers to trigger heap corruption through carefully constructed HTML content delivered via the network.

The attack requires user interaction—specifically, a victim must navigate to a malicious web page containing the crafted HTML payload. Once triggered, the vulnerability can compromise the integrity of browser data, though it does not directly impact confidentiality or availability according to the assessed metrics.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in an inappropriate implementation within Chrome's Memory Allocator component. This allocator handles dynamic memory management for the browser, and inconsistencies in its implementation create conditions where heap memory can become corrupted. The specific implementation flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory allocation patterns through malicious HTML content, leading to heap state corruption.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to host or inject malicious HTML content that the victim accesses through their browser. The exploitation flow involves:

1. Attacker crafts a malicious HTML page designed to trigger the memory allocator flaw
2. Victim navigates to the attacker-controlled or compromised website
3. Chrome's rendering engine processes the malicious HTML
4. The inappropriate implementation in the Memory Allocator leads to heap corruption
5. The corrupted heap state allows the attacker to compromise browser integrity

No user privileges are required beyond basic browser interaction, making this vulnerability accessible to opportunistic attackers who can lure victims to malicious websites through phishing or watering hole attacks.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-5839

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual browser crashes or instability when visiting specific web pages
• Unexpected memory consumption patterns in Chrome processes
• Browser integrity warnings or security sandbox violations
• Evidence of visits to known malicious domains serving exploit content

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for Chrome versions below 126.0.6478.54 across managed endpoints
• Implement web filtering to block access to known exploit delivery domains
• Deploy endpoint detection rules for abnormal Chrome process behavior
• Review browser crash dumps for heap corruption signatures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Chrome crash reporting and analyze for memory corruption patterns
• Monitor network traffic for suspicious HTML payloads targeting browser vulnerabilities
• Track Chrome update compliance across the organization to identify vulnerable instances
• Implement browser telemetry collection to detect exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-5839

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 126.0.6478.54 or later immediately
• Enable automatic browser updates to prevent future exposure windows
• Review and update Fedora systems using package management to obtain patched Chrome packages
• Consider restricting access to untrusted websites until patches are applied

Patch Information

Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 126.0.6478.54, released as part of the stable channel update. The fix resolves the inappropriate implementation in the Memory Allocator component that enabled heap corruption.

For detailed patch information, refer to the Google Chrome Stable Update announcement. Additional technical details are available in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Fedora users should apply updates through their package manager as announced in the Fedora package announcements for Fedora 39 and Fedora 40.

Workarounds

• Implement strict web filtering policies to limit exposure to untrusted content
• Use browser isolation technologies to contain potential exploitation attempts
• Enable Chrome's Site Isolation feature to reduce cross-site attack surface
• Consider using managed browser policies to restrict navigation to known-safe domains until patching is complete

# Verify Chrome version on Linux/macOS
google-chrome --version
# Expected output should show 126.0.6478.54 or higher

# Update Chrome on Fedora systems
sudo dnf update chromium

# Verify Fedora package version
rpm -q chromium