CVE-2023-2135
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's DevTools that could allow heap corruption. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or crash the browser by convincing users to enable specific DevTools preconditions and visit a malicious webpage. All Chrome users prior to version 112.0.5615.137 are affected.
💻 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) or limited information disclosure from memory corruption.
If Mitigated
No impact if Chrome is updated to patched version or DevTools access is restricted.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (enabling DevTools preconditions and visiting malicious site).
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 112.0.5615.137 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/04/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_18.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.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable DevTools access
allPrevent users from accessing Chrome DevTools via group policy or enterprise controls.
Windows: Configure via Chrome Enterprise policies
macOS/Linux: Use managed browser configurations
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict web browsing to trusted sites only using web filtering solutions.
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version: if below 112.0.5615.137, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
chrome://version/ (on Chrome) or google-chrome --version (command line)Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm Chrome version is 112.0.5615.137 or higher after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports with memory corruption signatures
- Unexpected DevTools process activity
Network Indicators:
- Requests to known malicious domains hosting exploit code
SIEM Query:
source="chrome" AND (event_type="crash" OR process_name="chrome_debug")🔗 References
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/04/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_18.html
- https://crbug.com/1424337
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/4AOSGAOPXLBK4A5ZRTVZ4M6QKVLSWMWG/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ES2CDRHR2Y4WY6DNDIAPYZFXJU3ZBFAV/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/FEJZMAUB4XP44HSHEBDWEKFGA7DUHY42/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/IHHD6KNH4WLUE6JG6HRQZWNAJMHJ32X7/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/RJQI63HWZFL6M26Q6UOHKDY6LD2PFC5Z/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/SLO7BL2MHZYPY6O3OAEAQL3SKYMGGO6M/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202309-17
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5393
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/04/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_18.html
- https://crbug.com/1424337
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/4AOSGAOPXLBK4A5ZRTVZ4M6QKVLSWMWG/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ES2CDRHR2Y4WY6DNDIAPYZFXJU3ZBFAV/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/FEJZMAUB4XP44HSHEBDWEKFGA7DUHY42/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/IHHD6KNH4WLUE6JG6HRQZWNAJMHJ32X7/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/RJQI63HWZFL6M26Q6UOHKDY6LD2PFC5Z/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/SLO7BL2MHZYPY6O3OAEAQL3SKYMGGO6M/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202309-17
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5393
