CVE-2024-6997
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome's tab management system that allows heap corruption. Attackers can exploit it by tricking users into performing specific UI gestures on a malicious webpage. All Chrome users on vulnerable versions 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...
Learn more about Chrome →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to full system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Browser crash or sandbox escape allowing limited code execution within browser context.
If Mitigated
Browser crash with no further impact if sandbox holds and exploit fails.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user interaction (specific UI gestures) but no authentication. Exploit reliability may vary based on heap layout.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 127.0.6533.72 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2024/07/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_23.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 update. 4. Click 'Relaunch' when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable automatic tab loading
allPrevents tabs from loading content until selected, reducing attack surface
chrome://flags/#enable-lazy-tab-loading → Enable
Enable site isolation
allEnforces stronger process separation between websites
chrome://flags/#enable-site-per-process → Enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Use alternative browser until patch can be applied
- Implement network filtering to block known malicious sites
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version in About Google Chrome page. If version is below 127.0.6533.72, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
google-chrome --version (Linux) or "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --version (Windows)Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm Chrome version is 127.0.6533.72 or higher in About Google Chrome page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports with memory corruption signatures
- Unexpected tab process terminations
Network Indicators:
- Connections to suspicious domains followed by browser crashes
- Multiple failed exploit attempts from same source
SIEM Query:
source="chrome_crash_reports" AND (event_type="oom" OR event_type="memory_corruption")