CVE-2024-7025: Exploring the Integer Overflow Vulnerability in Layout, Google Chrome (Versions Prior to 129..6668.89)

In a recent security update, Google released information about an integer overflow vulnerability in the Layout component of Google Chrome. This vulnerability has been assigned the CVE ID: CVE-2024-7025 and has a severity rating of "High." It affects versions of Google Chrome prior to 129..6668.89 and can allow a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. In this post, we'll dive deeper into the details of this vulnerability, explore code snippets, provide links to original references, and outline key exploit details that will help developers understand and safeguard against this security threat.

Background on Chrome's Layout Component

The Layout component in Google Chrome is part of the rendering engine, responsible for positioning, sizing, and displaying elements on a webpage. When a browser loads an HTML page, it needs to determine how to position each element on the screen appropriately. Any vulnerability within this component could impact Chrome's ability to render webpages correctly or even expose user data to attackers.

Description of CVE-2024-7025 Vulnerability

The vulnerability lies in an integer overflow within Google Chrome's Layout component. This overflow can lead to heap corruption, allowing a remote attacker to potentially compromise a user's system through a carefully crafted HTML page.

Code Snippet Demonstrating the Issue

The code snippet below illustrates the integer overflow vulnerability in a simplified manner. While it doesn't represent the exact implementation within Google Chrome, it helps understand the core issue.

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

int main() {
    int layout_width = x7FFFFFFF; // Maximum positive value for a 32-bit signed integer
    int element_width = 10;

    int total_width = layout_width + element_width; // This will cause overflow, leading to an incorrect (negative) result
    std::vector<int> layout_buffer(total_width); // This will allocate a buffer in memory with an incorrect size

    // ... rest of the layout processing logic

    return ;
}

This example demonstrates how an integer overflow can lead to an insufficiently sized memory buffer being allocated (due to the incorrect negative value). An attacker could use this vulnerability to cause heap corruption within the browser's memory space.

Links to Original References

1. Chromium Security Page - This page provides an overview of Chromium security principles, practices, and processes. It is an excellent starting point to understand the overall security model of Google Chrome and Chromium.

2. Google Chrome Releases - This official blog provides information about Google Chrome's release cycle, including significant updates to the browser. It is essential to keep track of these releases to stay informed about security patches, bug fixes, and new features.

Exploit Details

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to craft a specially designed HTML page that would trigger the vulnerability within a victim's browser when loaded. This exploit would typically involve manipulating CSS styles or JavaScript code to force the Layout component into a vulnerable state, leading to the integer overflow.

Upon successful exploitation, the attacker might be able to execute arbitrary code within the browser's context, read sensitive user data, or crash the browser process.

Mitigation

To protect yourself from CVE-2024-7025, it is crucial to update Google Chrome to at least version 129..6668.89. Google's timely release of security patches is essential for maintaining a secure browsing environment. As a user, it is your responsibility to ensure that Chrome automatically updates or regularly check for updates.

Developers should also study this vulnerability as an example of an integer overflow, understand the risks associated with using potentially unsafe code, and take measures to protect their applications and users.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-7025 highlights the crucial role that web browsers play in maintaining the security and privacy of their users. By understanding the root causes and potential impacts of vulnerabilities like integer overflows in the Layout component of Google Chrome, developers can contribute to a more secure web ecosystem. Stay informed, stay updated, and work together to ensure a safer browsing experience for everyone.

Timeline

Published on: 11/27/2024 18:15:18 UTC
Last modified on: 11/27/2024 20:15:26 UTC