CVE-2023-4762
📋 TL;DR
This is a type confusion vulnerability in Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking the browser into misinterpreting object types. It affects all users running Chrome versions before 116.0.5845.179. Attackers can exploit this via malicious websites to potentially take full control of the victim's browser.
💻 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...
Learn more about Chrome →Edge Chromium by Microsoft
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Browser compromise allowing session hijacking, credential theft, and installation of malicious extensions or malware.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with browser sandboxing, but potential escape could still lead to system compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious site) but no authentication. Type confusion vulnerabilities in V8 have historically been weaponized in exploit chains.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 116.0.5845.179 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/09/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Chrome. 2. Click three dots 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
allTemporarily disable JavaScript execution in Chrome to prevent exploitation
chrome://settings/content/javascript → Block
Use Site Isolation
allEnable site isolation to contain potential exploitation
chrome://flags/#site-isolation-trial-opt-out → Disabled
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Use alternative browsers until patching is possible
- Implement network filtering to block known malicious sites and restrict browsing
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version in About Google Chrome (three dots menu → Help → About Google Chrome). If version is below 116.0.5845.179, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
google-chrome --version (Linux), "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --version (Windows)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Chrome version is 116.0.5845.179 or higher in About Google Chrome.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports with V8-related errors
- Unexpected Chrome process termination
- Suspicious extension installations
Network Indicators:
- Connections to known malicious domains serving exploit code
- Unusual outbound traffic from Chrome processes
SIEM Query:
source="chrome_logs" AND ("V8" OR "type confusion" OR "access violation")🔗 References
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/09/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1473247
- 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://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-4762
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202311-11
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202312-07
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-34
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5491
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/09/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1473247
- 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://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-4762
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202311-11
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202312-07
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202401-34
- https://www.debian.org/security/2023/dsa-5491
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-4762
