CVE-2024-7024: Google Chrome V8 RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-7024 Overview

CVE-2024-7024 is a vulnerability in the V8 JavaScript engine used by Google Chrome versions prior to 126.0.6478.54. The flaw stems from an inappropriate implementation in V8 that allows a remote attacker to potentially perform a sandbox escape using a crafted HTML page. Chromium classified the security severity as Low internally, but the NVD CVSS 3.1 base score is 9.6, reflecting the cross-process scope change when the renderer sandbox is bypassed. The vulnerability maps to memory safety weaknesses [CWE-787] (Out-of-Bounds Write) and [CWE-119] (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer).

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation enables a sandbox escape from the renderer process, breaking Chrome's primary defense-in-depth boundary and exposing the host operating system to attacker-controlled code paths.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 126.0.6478.54
• Chromium-based browsers using the same V8 build
• Desktop platforms running affected Chrome builds (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-09-23 - CVE-2024-7024 published to the National Vulnerability Database
• 2025-01-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-7024

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in V8, the JavaScript and WebAssembly engine that compiles and executes scripts inside the Chrome renderer process. An inappropriate implementation within V8 allows a crafted HTML page to drive the engine into a state that violates expected memory boundaries. The associated CWE classifications point to out-of-bounds writes and improper buffer bounds enforcement during script execution.

When the renderer processes attacker-controlled JavaScript, the flawed code path enables corruption that the attacker can leverage to escape the renderer sandbox. A sandbox escape is significant because Chrome relies on process isolation to confine web content to a low-privilege context. Breaking that boundary lets attacker code interact with the broader operating system through the higher-privileged browser process.

The attack requires user interaction, consistent with the typical drive-by browsing scenario where a victim visits a malicious or compromised page. No authentication is required, and the attack is delivered over the network through normal web traffic.

Root Cause

The root cause is an implementation defect in V8 that fails to maintain memory safety invariants during specific script-driven operations. The combination of [CWE-787] and [CWE-119] indicates the engine writes outside the intended bounds of an allocated buffer, corrupting adjacent memory used by sandbox enforcement structures.

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs remotely over the network. An attacker hosts a crafted HTML page containing JavaScript designed to trigger the V8 defect. When a victim using an unpatched Chrome build loads the page, the malicious script executes inside the renderer and chains the memory corruption into a sandbox escape primitive. Additional details on the upstream bug are tracked in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-7024

Indicators of Compromise

• Chrome renderer processes spawning unexpected child processes or writing to sensitive filesystem paths shortly after navigation
• Browser crash reports referencing V8 heap corruption, type confusion, or out-of-bounds access prior to a process exit
• Outbound connections from chrome.exe to newly registered or low-reputation domains immediately after a user opens a link

Detection Strategies

• Inventory deployed Chrome versions across the fleet and flag any host running a build older than 126.0.6478.54
• Correlate web proxy logs with endpoint telemetry to identify users navigating to suspicious pages immediately before browser process anomalies
• Hunt for renderer-to-OS process lineage anomalies, such as chrome.exe renderer children invoking shells, scripting hosts, or LOLBins

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable browser crash and stability telemetry forwarding to a central SIEM for correlation against navigation history
• Monitor execution of child processes created by Chrome renderer processes and alert on non-standard binaries
• Track Chrome auto-update health to ensure endpoints receive vendor patches within the defined SLA

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-7024

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 126.0.6478.54 or later on all managed endpoints
• Force a browser restart after the update to ensure the patched V8 binary is loaded into running processes
• Update Chromium-based browsers and embedded WebView components that share the affected V8 codebase

Patch Information

Google addressed CVE-2024-7024 in Chrome 126.0.6478.54. Administrators should verify rollout through enterprise update mechanisms such as Chrome Browser Cloud Management, group policy, or MDM. Reference the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for upstream bug context.

Workarounds

• Restrict use of unpatched Chrome builds by enforcing minimum-version policies through enterprise management tooling
• Apply network-layer URL filtering to block access to untrusted or newly registered domains until patching completes
• Disable JavaScript on high-risk user groups via Chrome policy DefaultJavaScriptSetting where operationally feasible

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

# Example Chrome enterprise policy enforcing minimum version (Windows registry)
# HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\BrowserSwitcherEnabled
# Use Chrome Browser Cloud Management to force-update endpoints to 126.0.6478.54 or later