CVE-2022-1865 – This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrom... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-1865?

CVE-2022-1865 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's Bookmarks feature that allows heap corruption when a user installs a malicious extension and performs specific interactions. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or crash the browser. All Chrome users with vulnerable versions are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's Bookmarks feature that allows heap corruption when a user installs a malicious extension and performs specific interactions. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or crash the browser. 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 bookmark 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 ransomware deployment.

🟠

Likely Case

Browser crash, denial of service, or limited data exposure from memory corruption.

🟢

If Mitigated

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

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Attackers can host malicious extensions online and trick users into installing them.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires user interaction and extension installation, but internal phishing could facilitate exploitation.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires social engineering to install malicious extension plus specific user interaction with bookmarks.

🛠️ 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. 2. Click three dots menu → Help → About Google Chrome. 3. Chrome will automatically check for and install updates. 4. Click 'Relaunch' to restart Chrome.

🔧 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 untrusted sources.

Configure ExtensionInstallBlocklist or ExtensionInstallWhitelist via GPO/registry

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Use alternative browser until Chrome can be updated
Implement strict extension whitelisting and block all unknown extensions

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Chrome version: if below 102.0.5005.61, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

chrome://version/ or 'google-chrome --version' (Linux) or check About Chrome

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Chrome version is 102.0.5005.61 or higher after update.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Chrome crash reports with memory corruption signatures
Unexpected extension installation events

Network Indicators:

Downloads of unknown Chrome extension files (.crx)
Connections to suspicious extension repositories

SIEM Query:

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

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-1865

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/1289192 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/1289192 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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