CVE-2024-7969: Google Chrome V8 Type Confusion Vulnerability

CVE-2024-7969 Overview

CVE-2024-7969 is a type confusion vulnerability in the V8 JavaScript engine used by Google Chrome. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 128.0.6613.113 and allows a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption through a crafted HTML page. Google rated the underlying Chromium issue as High severity. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, typically by visiting a malicious or compromised website. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-843] (Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type).

Critical Impact
A remote attacker can trigger heap corruption in the V8 engine via a crafted HTML page, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the renderer process.

Affected Products

Google Chrome versions prior to 128.0.6613.113
Chromium-based browsers using vulnerable V8 builds
Desktop platforms supported by the Chrome Stable channel

Discovery Timeline

2024-08-21 - CVE-2024-7969 published to NVD
2024-08-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-7969

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a type confusion bug within V8, the JavaScript and WebAssembly engine in Chrome. Type confusion occurs when code allocates or accesses a resource using one type but later operates on it as an incompatible type. In V8, this class of bug typically arises from incorrect assumptions in the optimizing compiler or runtime object model. When the engine processes objects with mismatched type metadata, attacker-controlled values can be interpreted as pointers or vice versa. This mismatch enables heap corruption that an attacker can shape to gain control over execution flow inside the renderer process.

Root Cause

The root cause is incorrect type handling in V8, classified as [CWE-843]. The engine treats an object of one type as an unrelated type during JavaScript execution, allowing operations that violate memory safety guarantees. See the Chromium Issue Tracker Detail for additional context.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires a victim to load a crafted HTML page containing malicious JavaScript that triggers the type confusion in V8. The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. A successful exploit corrupts the V8 heap and can lead to arbitrary code execution inside the sandboxed renderer. Chaining this bug with a sandbox escape would extend impact beyond the renderer process.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-7969

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome renderer process crashes referencing V8 (v8::internal) on stack traces shortly after loading untrusted pages
Outbound connections from Chrome to newly registered or low-reputation domains immediately before crash events
Unexpected child processes spawned by chrome.exe following navigation to suspicious URLs

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Chrome versions across the fleet and flag any build below 128.0.6613.113
Inspect web proxy and DNS logs for users visiting attacker-controlled HTML pages that deliver heavy JavaScript payloads targeting V8
Monitor endpoint telemetry for renderer process anomalies, including unexpected memory allocations or crash dumps tied to V8 frames

Monitoring Recommendations

Centralize browser version telemetry and alert when endpoints drift behind the patched Chrome Stable channel
Correlate browser crashes with preceding URL navigations to identify potential exploitation attempts
Enable enterprise reporting in Chrome to capture extension activity, navigation history, and crash events

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-7969

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 128.0.6613.113 or later on all Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints
Restart Chrome on every endpoint to ensure the patched binary is loaded into memory
Audit Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi) and apply vendor updates that incorporate the V8 fix

Patch Information

Google released the fix in the Chrome Stable channel as version 128.0.6613.113 for desktop. Refer to the Google Chrome Update Announcement for release details and channel availability.

Workarounds

Enforce Chrome auto-update via enterprise policy to remove reliance on manual user updates
Restrict browsing to trusted domains using web filtering until patching completes
Disable JavaScript on untrusted sites through enterprise policy where business workflows allow

bash

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

# Windows PowerShell: query installed Chrome version
(Get-Item "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe").VersionInfo.ProductVersion