CVE-2023-4429
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's Loader component that allows remote attackers to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. Attackers could execute arbitrary code or cause browser crashes. All users of Chrome versions prior to 116.0.5845.110 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 malware installation.
Likely Case
Browser crashes, denial of service, or limited code execution within sandbox constraints.
If Mitigated
No impact if Chrome is fully updated to patched version.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user interaction (visiting malicious page) but no authentication. Heap corruption exploitation requires specific conditions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 116.0.5845.110 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/08/chrome-desktop-stable-update.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 update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript
allPrevents exploitation by disabling JavaScript execution, but breaks most websites.
chrome://settings/content/javascript → Block
Use Site Isolation
allEnables site isolation to limit impact of potential exploitation.
chrome://flags/#site-isolation-trial-opt-out → Disabled
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Use alternative browsers until Chrome can be updated
- Implement network filtering to block known malicious sites
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version: Open Chrome → Click three-dot menu → Help → About Google Chrome. If version is below 116.0.5845.110, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
google-chrome --version (Linux) or open chrome://version/Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Chrome version is 116.0.5845.110 or higher using same method.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports
- Unexpected process termination
- Sandbox escape attempts
Network Indicators:
- Requests to known exploit domains
- Unusual outbound connections from Chrome processes
SIEM Query:
process_name:"chrome.exe" AND (event_id:1000 OR event_id:1001) OR process_name:"chrome" AND signal:SIGSEGV🔗 References
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/08/chrome-desktop-stable-update.html
- https://crbug.com/1469754
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/27NR3KG553CG6LGPMP6SHWEVHTYPL6RC/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6T655QF7CQ3DYAMPFV7IECQYGDEUIVVT/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KUQ7CTX3W372X3UY56VVNAHCH6H2F4X3/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-34
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5483
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/08/chrome-desktop-stable-update.html
- https://crbug.com/1469754
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/27NR3KG553CG6LGPMP6SHWEVHTYPL6RC/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6T655QF7CQ3DYAMPFV7IECQYGDEUIVVT/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/KUQ7CTX3W372X3UY56VVNAHCH6H2F4X3/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-34
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5483
