CVE-2024-9602: Google Chrome V8 Type Confusion RCE Flaw

CVE-2024-9602 Overview

CVE-2024-9602 is a type confusion vulnerability in Google Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine that allows a remote attacker to perform an out-of-bounds memory write via a crafted HTML page. This vulnerability affects Google Chrome versions prior to 129.0.6668.100 and has been rated as high severity by the Chromium security team.

Critical Impact

A remote attacker can exploit this type confusion vulnerability in the V8 JavaScript engine to achieve arbitrary memory writes, potentially leading to remote code execution when a user visits a malicious webpage.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 129.0.6668.100
• Chromium-based browsers using vulnerable V8 engine versions
• All platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux) running affected Chrome versions

Discovery Timeline

• October 8, 2024 - CVE-2024-9602 published to NVD
• November 20, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-9602

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-843 (Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type, commonly known as Type Confusion). Type confusion vulnerabilities in V8 occur when the JavaScript engine incorrectly handles object types during runtime, leading to memory safety violations. In this case, the vulnerability enables an out-of-bounds memory write, which is particularly dangerous as it can be weaponized for arbitrary code execution.

The V8 engine is Chrome's high-performance JavaScript and WebAssembly engine, making it a critical component that processes untrusted code from web pages. Type confusion in V8 typically arises when the engine's optimizing compiler (TurboFan) makes incorrect assumptions about object types, or when type transitions are improperly handled during object property access or modification.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-9602 is a type confusion error in the V8 JavaScript engine where the engine incorrectly interprets the type of an object during execution. This misinterpretation allows an attacker to manipulate memory in unintended ways, specifically enabling out-of-bounds write operations. Such vulnerabilities often stem from incorrect type guards in the optimizing compiler or improper handling of polymorphic inline caches.

Attack Vector

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

1. Crafting a malicious HTML page containing specially designed JavaScript code
2. Hosting the page on an attacker-controlled server or injecting it into a compromised website
3. Luring a victim to visit the malicious page through phishing or other social engineering techniques
4. When the victim's browser parses and executes the JavaScript, the type confusion triggers
5. The resulting out-of-bounds memory write can corrupt adjacent memory, potentially achieving arbitrary code execution

The vulnerability can be exploited entirely through rendering a malicious webpage, requiring no additional plugins or user actions beyond visiting the page. For detailed technical information, refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-9602

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected Chrome crashes or hangs when visiting specific websites
• Abnormal memory consumption patterns in the Chrome renderer process
• Browser stability issues with JavaScript-heavy pages
• Suspicious network connections initiated after visiting unknown websites

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for Chrome versions below 129.0.6668.100 across managed endpoints
• Implement browser version compliance policies using endpoint management solutions
• Deploy network-based detection for known malicious JavaScript patterns
• Utilize SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect exploitation attempts targeting browser memory corruption

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Chrome's built-in crash reporting to identify potential exploitation attempts
• Monitor endpoint telemetry for unusual child processes spawned by Chrome
• Track JavaScript execution anomalies through browser security extensions
• Implement web filtering to block access to known malicious domains hosting exploit code

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-9602

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 129.0.6668.100 or later immediately
• Enable automatic updates for Chrome to receive future security patches promptly
• Verify all Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave, Opera, etc.) are also updated
• Consider restricting access to untrusted websites until patching is complete

Patch Information

Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 129.0.6668.100. The patch was released as part of the Chrome Stable Channel Update for Desktop on October 8, 2024. Organizations should prioritize updating all Chrome installations to this version or newer to remediate the vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Enable Chrome's Site Isolation feature to limit the impact of renderer exploits
• Use browser security extensions that block JavaScript execution on untrusted sites
• Implement web content filtering at the network perimeter to block known malicious sites
• Consider using Chrome's Strict Site Isolation policy via enterprise group policies

# Enterprise policy configuration for enhanced Chrome security
# Enable Site Isolation for all sites (Windows Registry)
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v SitePerProcess /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

# Linux/macOS - Create managed policy file
# /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed/site_isolation.json
# {"SitePerProcess": true}