CVE-2024-9957 Overview
CVE-2024-9957 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in the UI component of Google Chrome on iOS. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 130.0.6723.58. A remote attacker can exploit heap corruption by serving a crafted HTML page and convincing a user to perform specific UI gestures. Successful exploitation can lead to memory corruption with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can trigger heap corruption in Chrome for iOS through a crafted HTML page combined with user interaction, enabling potential code execution or browser compromise.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome on iOS prior to 130.0.6723.58
- Apple iPhone OS devices running vulnerable Chrome builds
- Any iOS deployment using Chrome below the patched release
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-15 - CVE-2024-9957 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2025-01-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-9957
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a use-after-free condition in the Chrome iOS UI subsystem. Use-after-free flaws occur when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed. An attacker who controls the freed memory region can manipulate object state and corrupt the heap. The Chromium project classified the underlying issue at Medium severity, while the NVD scoring reflects higher network-exploitable impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper object lifetime management within Chrome's iOS UI code. A UI object is freed while a dangling reference remains accessible to subsequent code paths triggered by user interaction. When the dangling pointer is dereferenced, the attacker-controlled heap state is interpreted as a valid object, enabling memory corruption. The flaw is tracked publicly in Chromium Issue #358151317.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires a remote attacker to host a crafted HTML page and lure the target to visit it. The user must then perform specific UI gestures within the Chrome iOS interface to trigger the freed-object code path. The attack vector is network-based with low complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction. Once heap corruption is achieved, the attacker can pivot toward broader browser compromise within the constraints of the iOS sandbox.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Technical details are limited to vendor advisory information. See the Google Chrome Stable Channel Update for vendor disclosure.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-9957
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome for iOS process crashes or unexpected terminations correlated with browsing sessions
- Outbound connections from iOS devices to newly registered or low-reputation domains hosting HTML content
- Crash reports referencing UI components within Chrome below version 130.0.6723.58
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome versions across iOS fleets using mobile device management (MDM) telemetry and flag any build below 130.0.6723.58
- Monitor web proxy and DNS logs for users visiting untrusted domains followed by browser crash telemetry
- Correlate user-reported browser instability with Chrome version data to identify candidates for forensic review
Monitoring Recommendations
- Centralize iOS browser version reporting through MDM and alert on out-of-date Chrome installs
- Ingest web gateway logs into a security analytics platform to identify suspicious HTML delivery patterns
- Track Chromium security release notes and align internal patch SLAs to Chrome stable channel cadence
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-9957
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on iOS to version 130.0.6723.58 or later through the Apple App Store
- Enforce automatic application updates on managed iOS devices via MDM policy
- Communicate user-awareness guidance about avoiding untrusted links and unexpected UI prompts in the browser
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2024-9957 in Chrome for iOS 130.0.6723.58. Patch details are referenced in the Chrome Releases blog and tracked in Chromium Issue #358151317. Apply the update through standard iOS application update channels.
Workarounds
- Use an alternative iOS browser until the Chrome update is applied across the fleet
- Restrict access to untrusted external sites through web filtering on corporate networks and VPN egress
- Educate users to avoid performing UI gestures prompted by unknown web pages
# Verify Chrome for iOS version via MDM query (example pseudocode)
mdm query --app com.google.chrome.ios --field CFBundleShortVersionString
# Expected output: 130.0.6723.58 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
