CVE-2022-1312
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's storage component that allows an attacker who convinces a user to install a malicious extension to potentially escape Chrome's sandbox. It affects all Chrome users prior to version 100.0.4896.88 who install extensions from untrusted sources.
💻 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...
Learn more about Chrome →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise via sandbox escape leading to arbitrary code execution with user privileges, potentially enabling lateral movement or persistence mechanisms.
Likely Case
Malicious extension gains elevated privileges to access system resources normally protected by Chrome's sandbox, potentially stealing sensitive data or installing additional malware.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper extension vetting and Chrome sandboxing; at most, extension-level data exposure without system access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires convincing user to install malicious extension and crafting specific payload to trigger use-after-free condition.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 100.0.4896.88
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/04/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_11.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Chrome menu > Help > About Google Chrome. 2. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install version 100.0.4896.88 or later. 3. Click 'Relaunch' to restart Chrome with the update applied.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable extension installation
allPrevent users from installing extensions to block the attack vector
For enterprise: Use Chrome Enterprise policies to disable extension installation
Restrict extension sources
allOnly allow extensions from Chrome Web Store
chrome://extensions > Developer mode OFF > Only install from Chrome Web Store
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict extension whitelisting policies
- Monitor for unusual extension installation activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version: chrome://version and compare to 100.0.4896.88Check Version:
On Windows: "chrome://version" in address bar; On Linux/macOS: open Chrome and navigate to chrome://versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Chrome version is 100.0.4896.88 or later via chrome://version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual extension installation events
- Chrome crash reports with storage-related stack traces
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of extensions from non-Chrome-Web-Store sources
SIEM Query:
source="chrome_extension_logs" AND (event="install" AND source_url NOT CONTAINS "chrome.google.com/webstore")🔗 References
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/04/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_11.html
- https://crbug.com/1311701
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-25
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/04/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_11.html
- https://crbug.com/1311701
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-25
