CVE-2024-3174: A Deep Dive into an Inappropriate Implementation in V8, Google Chrome's JavaScript Engine
Abstract: "CVE-2024-3174" is a high-severity security vulnerability discovered in Google Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. The flaw allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit object corruption via a carefully crafted HTML page. In this article, we'll delve into the specifications of the vulnerability, look at some example code, and explain how it was exploited. We'll provide links to the original references and discuss Google's response in addressing the issue.
Introduction
CVE-2024-3174 is a security vulnerability classified due to the inappropriate implementation in the V8 engine used by Google Chrome. The Chromium project assigns this issue a high-security severity. First, we'll examine the V8 engine, a core component of Google Chrome responsible for executing JavaScript. Next, we'll discuss the discovery of CVE-2024-3174 and explain which versions of Chrome were affected. Finally, we'll explore how attackers could exploit the vulnerability and evaluate the response from the Chromium project to mitigate the issue.
What is the V8 JavaScript Engine?
The V8 engine is a high-performance, open-source JavaScript engine developed by Google. It's responsible for interpreting and executing JavaScript code in Google Chrome. JavaScript is an essential programming language for web applications, so it's imperative to have a performant and secure JavaScript engine.
Discovering CVE-2024-3174
This vulnerability was first publicly disclosed by Chromium's security team in their official security advisory post. According to the advisory, the bug impacted Google Chrome versions before 119..6045.105. Consequently, the Chromium team classified the security severity as high and released a patch to address the vulnerability in version 119..6045.105.
The following snippet demonstrates a crafted HTML document
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<script>
// ...
// Vulnerable code involving object creation and manipulation
// ...
</script>
</head>
<body>
<!-- Exploit interaction via DOM elements -->
</body>
</html>
This example is intentionally incomplete. Still, it highlights a pattern that attackers could use to trigger the vulnerability, potentially resulting in object corruption.
The Exploit
Additionally, the exploit involves the attackers crafting an HTML page where a specific sequence of JavaScript actions could trigger the CVE-2024-3174 Vulnerability. The malicious JavaScript uses an inappropriate implementation in the V8 engine to corrupt an object's memory structure, potentially allowing a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
Chromium's Response
Upon discovering the vulnerability, the Chromium project promptly released a patch in Google Chrome version 119..6045.105. Updating to this version mitigates the risk by introducing a more appropriate implementation within the V8 engine, preventing potential object corruption through the previous implementation flaw, and shielding users from malicious exploitation.
Patch details and additional discussions about CVE-2024-3174 can be found in the official Chromium bug tracker.
Conclusion
CVE-2024-3174 is a high-severity security vulnerability in Google Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. The Chromium project's swift response with a patch has rendered this threat inactive in the most recent versions of Chrome. Users should always ensure they have the latest Chrome version to minimize vulnerability to threats like CVE-2024-3174.
Timeline
Published on: 07/16/2024 23:15:24 UTC
Last modified on: 08/01/2024 13:56:26 UTC