External risk intelligence

Google Chrome Heap Buffer Overflow Sandbox Escape

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.6)

CVE-2022-4920

This vulnerability affects a client-side web browser. While browsers interact with the internet, this specific issue requires the attacker to convince a user to perform specific UI gestures within a crafted HTML page to trigger the vulnerability. It is not a network-facing service, edge gateway, or server-side application that is reachable or exploitable without direct, active user interaction.

Out-of-bounds Write

Google Chrome

before 101.0.4951.41

Halo Surface Signal: 1 out of 5 — much less likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A heap buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered in Google Chrome that could allow a remote attacker to escape the browser's sandbox. This occurs when a user is tricked into interacting with a specifically designed HTML page.

A browser flaw could let attackers bypass security.
Requires user interaction to exploit.
Confirm relevance and user exposure.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by luring a user into visiting a malicious webpage. If the user interacts with specific elements on this page, it could trigger a heap buffer overflow in the browser's rendering engine. This, in turn, could allow the attacker to escape the browser's security sandbox.

Requires user interaction on a malicious page.
Triggers a heap buffer overflow in Blink.
Potential for sandbox escape.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A heap buffer overflow in Chrome's Blink rendering engine could allow a remote attacker to escape the browser's sandbox. This occurs when a user is tricked into interacting with specific elements on a specially crafted HTML page. The potential impact is a sandbox escape, which could affect system data and user data if exploited successfully.

Browser sandbox escape.
Triggered by user interaction with malicious HTML.
Could affect system and user data.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability impacts Google Chrome and is likely owned by teams managing end-user computing or application deployment, such as IT operations or desktop support. The first practical step is to identify Chrome instances, confirm their reachability and business criticality, and then coordinate an update plan.

End-user computing and application teams own this.
Verify Chrome version and user exposure.
Plan controlled updates during maintenance.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Google Chrome browser and the Blink engine?

Google Chrome is a widely used web browser that relies on the Blink rendering engine. Blink acts as the core component responsible for converting HTML, CSS, and other web code into the visual webpages you see on your screen. It handles complex tasks like layout and element rendering, making it a critical bridge between the internet and your computer's operating system.

What is the heap buffer overflow weakness in CVE-2022-4920?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-787, or Out-of-bounds Write. It occurs when a program writes more data to a specific memory area, called the heap, than it can hold. In this case, malicious code in an HTML page forces the browser to overwrite surrounding memory, which can trick the browser into performing unauthorized actions and escaping its security sandbox.

How is this heap buffer overflow triggered?

The flaw is triggered only when a user visits a malicious website and performs specific UI gestures, such as clicking or interacting with certain page elements. It does not trigger automatically just by loading a page; it requires active, deceptive participation from the user to execute the malformed code within the Blink rendering engine.

Is CVE-2022-4920 an immediate threat to my network?

According to Halo Surface Signal, this is very unlikely to be an automatic network-level threat. Because it is a client-side browser issue that requires deliberate user interaction within a webpage, it does not function like a server-side bug that an attacker can reach remotely across the internet without your help. The risk is localized to the specific device and user being targeted.

Do I need to update my browser to fix this?

Yes. The primary response is to update Google Chrome to version 101.0.4951.41 or later, as this release contains the necessary security patches. Organizations should identify all systems running older versions of Chrome and prioritize applying these updates through standard deployment channels to ensure the browser's sandbox protections are fully restored.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.