CVE-2022-23263 - Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability: A Deep Dive into Exploitation Techniques and Prevention Methods

In this write-up, we'll dig deep into the CVE-2022-23263 vulnerability affecting the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser. This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code, leading to elevation of privileges. It is essential to note that this CVE ID is different from CVE-2022-23262, which refers to another Microsoft Edge vulnerability.

For better understanding, we'll explore the essence of the vulnerability, code snippets demonstrating the exploit, links to original references, and some possible prevention methods. By the end of this long read, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of CVE-2022-23263 and how to protect your systems against potential attacks.

Understanding CVE-2022-23263

The CVE-2022-23263 vulnerability arises from the improper handling of objects in memory by the Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) browser. This flaw could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user, leading to the elevation of privileges. If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could give full control to the attacker, allowing them to delete or modify data, create new user accounts, or even compromise the entire system.

The following code snippet exemplifies the possible exploitation of CVE-2022-23263 in Microsoft Edge

function exploit() {
  var buffer_size = x10000;
  var arr = new Array(buffer_size);
  for (var i = ; i < buffer_size; i++) {
    arr[i] = new Uint32Array(x100);
  }

  for (var i = ; i < buffer_size; i++) {
    arr[i] = null;
  }

  var target = null;
  for (var i = ; i < buffer_size; i++) {
    if (arr[i] === null) {
      target = new Uint32Array(x100);
      arr[i] = target;
      break;
    }
  }

  if (target === null) {
    console.error("Exploit failed");
    return;
  }

  // Trigger vulnerability and cause memory corruption
  compromise_memory(target);

  // Further exploit the corrupted memory to execute arbitrary code
  execute_arbitrary_code(target);
}

exploit();

This code snippet represents a high-level demonstration of how an attacker could attempt to exploit the vulnerability. The exploit function mainly creates numerous Uint32Array objects to trigger memory corruption and later uses the corrupted memory to execute arbitrary code.

Original References

1. NVD - CVE-2022-23263: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23263
2. Chromium Issue Tracker: https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=xxxxxxx (Replace 'xxxxxxx' with the actual issue ID)
3. Microsoft Security Response Center: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2022-23263

Exploit Details

The attacker would need to create a specially crafted web page or advertisement that would cause the victim's browser to execute the malicious code. The attacker would then have to convince the victim to visit the malicious web page either by sending them a link through an email or other social engineering techniques. Once the victim clicks on the link, the exploit is triggered, compromising the user's browser and system.

To protect yourself from CVE-2022-23263 attacks, consider the following prevention methods

1. Regularly update your software: Make sure to keep your Microsoft Edge browser and other software up-to-date with the latest security patches.
2. Beware of phishing attacks: Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources and verify the legitimacy of emails before opening any attachments or clicking on the links.
3. Restrict user privileges: Implement the principle of least privilege for user accounts, reducing the attacker's capability to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
4. Enable security features: Enable and configure security features and plugins that help prevent or mitigate vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-23263 is a critical vulnerability affecting Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) browser, allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary code to obtain elevated system privileges. It is crucial to understand this vulnerability and apply the appropriate prevention methods to mitigate potential risks. Keep your software up-to-date, be vigilant while browsing the web, and follow best security practices to minimize the chances of being exploited by attackers.

Timeline

Published on: 02/07/2022 17:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 02/12/2022 01:29:00 UTC