CVE-2022-1863 – This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrom... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-1863?

CVE-2022-1863 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's Tab Groups feature that allows heap corruption when a user installs a malicious extension and performs specific interactions. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause browser crashes. All Chrome users with vulnerable versions are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's Tab Groups feature that allows heap corruption when a user installs a malicious extension and performs specific interactions. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause browser crashes. All Chrome users with vulnerable versions are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Google Chrome

Versions: All versions prior to 102.0.5005.61

Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires user to install a malicious Chrome extension and perform specific Tab Groups interactions

📦 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 memory corruption leading to unstable browser behavior

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if Chrome is updated to patched version or malicious extensions are blocked

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Attackers can host malicious extensions on websites or extension stores

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires user interaction with malicious extension, which could be distributed internally

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires user to install malicious extension and perform specific Tab Groups interactions; not a drive-by exploit

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 102.0.5005.61 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_24.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Chrome menu > Help > About Google Chrome. 2. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install version 102.0.5005.61 or later. 3. Click 'Relaunch' to restart Chrome with the update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Chrome Extensions

all

Temporarily disable all Chrome extensions to prevent malicious extension exploitation

chrome://extensions/ > Toggle off all extensions

Restrict Extension Installation

all

Configure Chrome policies to block extension installation from unknown sources

Configure ExtensionInstallBlocklist or ExtensionInstallWhitelist via Group Policy or registry

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict extension whitelisting policies to only allow trusted extensions
Use application control solutions to block Chrome execution or restrict to specific versions

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Chrome version in menu > Help > About Google Chrome. If version is below 102.0.5005.61, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

chrome://version/ or 'google-chrome --version' in terminal

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Chrome version is 102.0.5005.61 or higher in About Google Chrome page.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Chrome crash reports with memory corruption errors
Extension installation events from untrusted sources
Unusual Tab Groups activity patterns

Network Indicators:

Downloads of Chrome extensions from non-Chrome Web Store sources
Connections to known malicious extension repositories

SIEM Query:

source="chrome" AND (event="crash" OR event="extension_install") AND version<"102.0.5005.61"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-1863

CVSS v3 Score: 8.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-416

Published: July 27, 2022

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_24.html Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1292870 Permissions Required,Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-25 Third Party Advisory
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_24.html Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1292870 Permissions Required,Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-25 Third Party Advisory

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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