CVE-2022-1870 – This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrom... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-1870?

CVE-2022-1870 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's App Service that allows heap corruption. Attackers who convince users to install malicious extensions can potentially exploit this to execute arbitrary code. All Chrome users prior to version 102.0.5005.61 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's App Service that allows heap corruption. Attackers who convince users to install malicious extensions can potentially exploit this to execute arbitrary code. All Chrome users prior to version 102.0.5005.61 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Google Chrome
Chromium-based browsers

Versions: All versions prior to 102.0.5005.61

Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires user to install a malicious extension; Chrome's sandbox provides some protection

📦 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 compromise allowing session hijacking, credential theft, and installation of additional malware

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact due to Chrome sandboxing and extension permission restrictions

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

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires user interaction to install malicious extension

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires social engineering to install malicious extension; heap corruption exploitation requires additional steps

🛠️ 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.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable extension installation

all

Prevent users from installing extensions to block the attack vector

chrome://settings/extensions > Toggle 'Allow extensions from other stores' to OFF

Restrict extension permissions

all

Limit extension capabilities through enterprise policies

Configure ExtensionInstallBlocklist and ExtensionInstallForcelist policies

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement application whitelisting to block malicious extensions
Use network filtering to block extension download from untrusted sources

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Chrome version: chrome://settings/help or chrome://version

Check Version:

google-chrome --version (Linux), 'About Google Chrome' in menu (Windows/macOS)

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Chrome version is 102.0.5005.61 or higher

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unexpected extension installations
Chrome crash reports with memory corruption signatures

Network Indicators:

Downloads of .crx files from untrusted sources
Extension update requests to suspicious domains

SIEM Query:

process_name="chrome.exe" AND (event_id=1 AND command_line CONTAINS "--extension") OR (event_id=1000 AND faulting_module="chrome.dll")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-1870

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/1323236 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/1323236 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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