CVE-2024-6774: Google Chrome Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE-2024-6774 Overview

CVE-2024-6774 is a use after free vulnerability in the Screen Capture component of Google Chrome prior to version 126.0.6478.182. This memory corruption flaw allows a remote attacker who convinces a user to engage in specific UI gestures to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. The vulnerability was classified with Chromium security severity of High.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow remote attackers to achieve heap corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, data theft, or complete system compromise through a specially crafted HTML page.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 126.0.6478.182

Discovery Timeline

• July 16, 2024 - CVE-2024-6774 published to NVD
• December 26, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-6774

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free), a critical memory corruption flaw that occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it references has been freed. In the context of Chrome's Screen Capture functionality, this creates a dangerous condition where freed memory regions can be reallocated and manipulated by an attacker.

The vulnerability requires user interaction through specific UI gestures, meaning the attack cannot be fully automated. However, attackers can craft convincing HTML pages that trick users into performing the necessary actions. Once triggered, the use after free condition enables heap corruption, which attackers can leverage to achieve arbitrary code execution within the browser context.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-6774 lies in improper memory management within Chrome's Screen Capture component. The code path fails to properly track the lifecycle of memory objects, leading to a scenario where a pointer to freed memory remains accessible and is subsequently dereferenced. When the application attempts to access this dangling pointer during screen capture operations triggered by user gestures, it results in heap corruption.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker must:

1. Host a malicious HTML page containing exploit code
2. Lure a victim to visit the crafted webpage
3. Convince the user to perform specific UI gestures that trigger the Screen Capture functionality
4. Upon successful exploitation, achieve heap corruption that can be leveraged for code execution

The attack leverages the Screen Capture API and specifically crafted HTML/JavaScript to manipulate memory states in a way that triggers the use after free condition. For detailed technical information, refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-6774

Indicators of Compromise

• Abnormal Chrome process crashes specifically related to screen capture functionality
• Unusual memory access patterns or heap corruption errors in Chrome crash dumps
• Browser processes spawning unexpected child processes after visiting suspicious websites
• Suspicious network connections initiated immediately following screen capture attempts

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Chrome browser versions across the enterprise and flag any instances running versions prior to 126.0.6478.182
• Implement endpoint detection rules to identify unusual Chrome renderer process behavior during screen capture operations
• Deploy web proxy rules to detect and log access to known malicious domains serving exploit pages
• Utilize memory protection tools that can detect heap corruption attempts in real-time

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Chrome crash reporting and analyze crash dumps for patterns consistent with use after free exploitation
• Monitor for abnormal Screen Capture API usage patterns in browser telemetry
• Implement network traffic analysis to identify potential command and control communications post-exploitation
• Review endpoint logs for Chrome processes exhibiting unusual memory allocation patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-6774

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 126.0.6478.182 or later immediately across all endpoints
• Enable automatic Chrome updates to ensure timely deployment of security patches
• Educate users about the risks of interacting with unknown websites requesting screen sharing permissions
• Consider implementing browser isolation technologies for high-risk browsing activities

Patch Information

Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 126.0.6478.182. The fix was released as part of a stable channel update for desktop. Organizations should prioritize deploying this update to all affected systems. For detailed information about the security update, refer to the Google Chrome Desktop Update.

Workarounds

• Restrict access to untrusted websites through web filtering solutions until patches can be applied
• Disable or limit Screen Capture functionality via Chrome enterprise policies where business requirements permit
• Implement browser sandboxing and isolation technologies to contain potential exploitation attempts
• Consider using alternative browsers temporarily for users who cannot immediately update Chrome

# Chrome Enterprise Policy Configuration (Linux)
# Add to /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed/screen_capture_policy.json
{
  "ScreenCaptureAllowed": false,
  "URLBlocklist": ["*://*.malicious-domain.com/*"]
}