CVE-2024-5841 – This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-5841?

CVE-2024-5841 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine that could allow a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by tricking users into visiting a malicious webpage. All Chrome users prior to version 126.0.6478.54 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine that could allow a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption. Attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by tricking users into visiting a malicious webpage. All Chrome users prior to version 126.0.6478.54 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Google Chrome
Chromium-based browsers

Versions: All versions prior to 126.0.6478.54

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

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All standard Chrome installations are vulnerable. Chromium-based browsers may also be affected depending on their V8 version.

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

🟠

Likely Case

Browser crash or limited code execution within Chrome's sandbox, potentially enabling further exploitation.

🟢

If Mitigated

Browser crash with no further impact if sandboxing holds, though memory corruption could still be leveraged.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction (visiting malicious page) but no authentication. Use-after-free vulnerabilities in V8 are commonly exploited in the wild.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 126.0.6478.54 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2024/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Chrome. 2. Click the 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

all

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

Use Site Isolation

all

Enable Chrome's Site Isolation feature to limit impact if exploited.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict browsing to trusted websites only.
Use alternative browsers until patching is possible.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Chrome version in Settings → About Chrome. If version is below 126.0.6478.54, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

google-chrome --version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Chrome version is 126.0.6478.54 or higher in Settings → About Chrome.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Chrome crash reports with V8-related errors
Unexpected Chrome process termination

Network Indicators:

Requests to known malicious domains hosting exploit code

SIEM Query:

source="chrome_crash_reports" AND (message="V8" OR message="heap corruption")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-5841

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: June 11, 2024

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2024/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html Third Party Advisory
https://issues.chromium.org/issues/326765855 Permissions Required
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7VXA32LXMNK3DSK3JBRLTBPFUH7LTODU/ Third Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/MPU7AB53QQVNTBPGRMJRY5SXJNYWW3FX/ Third Party Advisory
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2024/06/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html Third Party Advisory
https://issues.chromium.org/issues/326765855 Permissions Required
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7VXA32LXMNK3DSK3JBRLTBPFUH7LTODU/ Third Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/MPU7AB53QQVNTBPGRMJRY5SXJNYWW3FX/ Third Party Advisory

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