CVE-2022-0805
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome's Browser Switcher component that could allow heap corruption. An attacker could exploit this by tricking a user into specific interactions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. All Chrome users on versions before 99.0.4844.51 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Chrome
- Chromium-based browsers
📦 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...
Learn more about Chrome →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with the same privileges as the Chrome process, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
Browser crash or instability, with potential for limited code execution in sandboxed context.
If Mitigated
No impact if Chrome is fully patched or Browser Switcher feature is disabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires specific user interaction but no authentication. No public exploit code was found in references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 99.0.4844.51 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/03/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Chrome. 2. Click three-dot menu → Help → About Google Chrome. 3. Chrome will automatically check for and install updates. 4. Click 'Relaunch' to restart Chrome with the update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Browser Switcher
allTurn off the Browser Switcher feature to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
chrome://flags/#browser-switcher
Set 'Browser Switcher' to 'Disabled'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable Browser Switcher feature via chrome://flags
- Use alternative browsers until Chrome can be updated
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version in Settings → About Chrome. If version is below 99.0.4844.51, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
google-chrome --version (Linux), "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --version (Windows)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Chrome version is 99.0.4844.51 or higher in Settings → About Chrome.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports with Browser Switcher component
- Unexpected process termination of Chrome
Network Indicators:
- Unusual web traffic patterns to malicious sites triggering Browser Switcher
SIEM Query:
source="chrome_logs" AND (event="crash" OR event="process_termination") AND component="browser_switcher"🔗 References
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/03/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1290700
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-25
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/03/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1290700
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-25
