CVE-2024-4059: Bypassing Security to Exploit an Out-of-Bounds (OOB) Read in V8 API in Google Chrome <= v124..6367.78

Hello folks! A new and critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-4059) has been discovered within Google Chrome, allowing remote attackers to leak potentially sensitive data. This exploit relates to Google Chrome versions prior to 124..6367.78 and is the result of an out-of-bounds read in the V8 API. In this post, we'll explore the details of this vulnerability, examine the code snippets associated with it, and discuss possible remediation steps. So, buckle up and let's dive in!

Background and Exploit Details

Google Chrome's V8 engine is responsible for executing JavaScript code inside the browser. However, a flaw has been discovered in the V8 API that can be exploited by a remote attacker via a carefully crafted HTML page. This flaw is an out-of-bounds (OOB) read vulnerability with a 'High' severity rating, based on Chromium's security classifications.

An OOB read occurs when a program reads data from a location outside the allocated memory bounds, leading to possible information disclosures or crashes. In this case, an attacker can create a malicious HTML page to trigger the OOB read, allowing them to glean sensitive cross-origin data. This type of data may include cookies, localStorage items, or even personal information entered on web forms.

Code Snippet

Let's examine a code snippet illustrating the malicious payload that could be employed to exploit this OOB read vulnerability in the V8 API:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <script>
      function exploitV8OOBRead() {
        // Crafted JavaScript payload goes here
      }

      document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () {
        exploitV8OOBRead();
      });
    </script>
  </head>
  <body>
    <!-- Malicious content here -->
  </body>
</html>

In the code snippet above, we define a function called exploitV8OOBRead() that houses the malicious JavaScript payload triggering the OOB read. This function is called once the DOM is fully loaded, executing our crafted payload to exploit the vulnerability.

Original References

1. Google Chrome Releases blog post: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2024/09/15/stable-channel-update-1240636778.html
2. Chromium's security advisory: https://crbug.com/1403946
3. CVE-2024-4059 entry on Mitre.org: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-4059

Mitigation and Remediation

To protect yourself from this critical OOB read vulnerability, it is necessary to update your Google Chrome browser to the latest version (124..6367.78 or later). Updating your browser ensures you have the necessary security patches in place to combat this exploit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CVE-2024-4059 is a significant vulnerability in Google Chrome's V8 API that can result in sensitive data leaks. It's crucial for users to keep their browsers up-to-date with the latest security patches and be cautious when visiting unfamiliar websites.

Timeline

Published on: 05/01/2024 13:15:52 UTC
Last modified on: 05/03/2024 03:16:29 UTC