CVE-2023-1529
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit heap corruption through out-of-bounds memory access in Chrome's WebHID implementation. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by connecting a malicious HID device. All users of affected Chrome versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Chrome
- Chromium-based browsers
📦 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, potential information disclosure from memory
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or if malicious HID devices are blocked
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires physical or network access to connect malicious HID device, or social engineering to trick user into connecting device
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 111.0.5563.110 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/03/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_21.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Chrome browser
2. Click three-dot menu → Help → About Google Chrome
3. Browser will automatically check for and install updates
4. Click 'Relaunch' to restart Chrome with updated version
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WebHID API
allDisable the WebHID API in Chrome flags to prevent exploitation
chrome://flags/#enable-webhid
Set to 'Disabled'
Block USB/HID device connections
allUse group policy or device management to block unauthorized USB/HID devices
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict USB device control policies to prevent unauthorized HID device connections
- Use application whitelisting to restrict browser capabilities or use alternative browsers temporarily
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version in About Google Chrome page (three-dot menu → Help → About Google Chrome)Check Version:
google-chrome --version (Linux) or chrome://version (all platforms)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Chrome version is 111.0.5563.110 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports with WebHID-related stack traces
- Unexpected USB/HID device connection events in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual USB-over-network traffic if using USB/IP or similar technologies
SIEM Query:
source="chrome_crash_reports" AND message="*WebHID*" OR source="system_logs" AND device="USB/HID" AND action="connect"🔗 References
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/03/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_21.html
- https://crbug.com/1419718
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/FG3CRADL7IL5IHK4NCHG4LAYLKHFXETX/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/HO3QZY4UQFP4XNF43ILMVVOABMB7KAQ5/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NGWWGQULJ7QRNP4GY57HE7OO7VMRWMPN/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202309-17
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/03/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_21.html
- https://crbug.com/1419718
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/FG3CRADL7IL5IHK4NCHG4LAYLKHFXETX/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/HO3QZY4UQFP4XNF43ILMVVOABMB7KAQ5/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NGWWGQULJ7QRNP4GY57HE7OO7VMRWMPN/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202309-17
