CVE-2022-0099
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome's sign-in functionality that allows heap corruption when a user performs specific gestures. Attackers can potentially execute arbitrary code or cause browser crashes by tricking users into performing these gestures. All Chrome users prior to version 97.0.4692.71 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Chrome
📦 What is this software?
Chrome by Google
Google Chrome is the world's most popular web browser, used by over 3 billion users globally across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms. As a Chromium-based browser developed by Google, Chrome dominates the browser market with approximately 65% market share, making it a critical compon...
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⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to full system compromise, data theft, or malware installation.
Likely Case
Browser crash (denial of service) or limited code execution within Chrome's sandbox.
If Mitigated
No impact if Chrome is updated to patched version or if users avoid suspicious gestures.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user interaction (specific gestures) but no authentication. Exploit details are not publicly available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 97.0.4692.71 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/01/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Chrome. 2. Click the three-dot menu. 3. Go to Help > About Google Chrome. 4. Chrome will automatically check for and install updates. 5. Click 'Relaunch' to restart Chrome.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable automatic sign-in
allPrevent Chrome from automatically signing into websites, reducing attack surface.
Use Chrome's site isolation
allEnsure site isolation is enabled to limit impact of potential exploits.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user access to untrusted websites and content
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version in Settings > About Chrome. If version is below 97.0.4692.71, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
google-chrome --version (Linux) or open chrome://version in browserVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Chrome version is 97.0.4692.71 or higher after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports
- Unexpected process termination logs
- Security event logs showing exploit attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from Chrome processes
- Traffic to known malicious domains
SIEM Query:
source="chrome" AND (event_type="crash" OR process_name="chrome.exe") AND version<"97.0.4692.71"🔗 References
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/01/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1245629
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/5PAGL5M2KGYPN3VEQCRJJE6NA7D5YG5X/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KQJB6ZPRLKV6WCMX2PRRRQBFAOXFBK6B/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/MRWRAXAFR3JR7XCFWTHC2KALSZKWACCE/
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/01/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1245629
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/5PAGL5M2KGYPN3VEQCRJJE6NA7D5YG5X/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KQJB6ZPRLKV6WCMX2PRRRQBFAOXFBK6B/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/MRWRAXAFR3JR7XCFWTHC2KALSZKWACCE/
