CVE-2022-4916 – This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrom... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-4916?

CVE-2022-4916 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's media component that allows remote attackers to perform arbitrary read/write operations via a crafted HTML page. It affects Google Chrome versions prior to 103.0.5060.53 and could lead to remote code execution. All users running vulnerable Chrome versions are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's media component that allows remote attackers to perform arbitrary read/write operations via a crafted HTML page. It affects Google Chrome versions prior to 103.0.5060.53 and could lead to remote code execution. All users running vulnerable Chrome versions are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Google Chrome
Chromium-based browsers

Versions: All versions prior to 103.0.5060.53

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

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default Chrome configurations are vulnerable. Chromium-based browsers may also be affected.

📦 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 leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.

🟠

Likely Case

Arbitrary memory read/write leading to browser sandbox escape and subsequent code execution within user context.

🟢

If Mitigated

Browser crash or denial of service if exploit fails or is blocked by security controls.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Exploitable via visiting malicious websites, making it easily accessible to attackers.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited via internal phishing campaigns or compromised internal websites.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious page) but no authentication. No public exploit code is known.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 103.0.5060.53 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_21.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 patched version.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable JavaScript

all

Prevents exploitation by blocking JavaScript execution, but breaks most website functionality.

Use Chrome sandboxing

all

Ensure Chrome sandbox is enabled to limit impact if exploitation occurs.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict browsing to trusted websites only
Implement web filtering to block malicious sites

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Chrome version in Settings → About Chrome. If version is below 103.0.5060.53, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

google-chrome --version (Linux) or open chrome://version in browser

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Chrome version is 103.0.5060.53 or higher after update.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Chrome crash reports
Unexpected browser process termination
Memory access violation logs

Network Indicators:

Requests to known malicious domains hosting exploit code
Unusual outbound connections from Chrome processes

SIEM Query:

source="chrome" AND (event_type="crash" OR message="access violation")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-4916

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 29, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_21.html Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1317714 Exploit,Issue Tracking,Vendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/PQKT7EGDD2P3L7S3NXEDDRCPK4NNZNWJ/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YKLJ3B3D5BCVWE3QNP4N7HHF26OHD567/
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_21.html Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1317714 Exploit,Issue Tracking,Vendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/PQKT7EGDD2P3L7S3NXEDDRCPK4NNZNWJ/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YKLJ3B3D5BCVWE3QNP4N7HHF26OHD567/

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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