External risk intelligence

Chromium V8 Type Confusion Vulnerability in Browsers

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2024-7971

A type confusion vulnerability in browsers can allow attackers to exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page, potentially leading to data exposure and system compromise. Affected organizations face business risk due to unauthorized actions and system disruption. This vulnerability is listed on the Known Exploited

5Halo Surface Signal

Google Chrome

before 128.0.6613.84before 128.0.2739.42

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2024-7971

The vulnerability affects web browsers (Chrome, Edge), which are internet-facing applications by design. Exploitation occurs via crafted HTML pages, which are encountered during normal web browsing activity. Because the browser is intended to process arbitrary, untrusted internet content, this attack surface is inherently public-facing and constantly reachable in all standard deployments.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A type confusion flaw within the V8 JavaScript engine of Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge can be exploited by attackers. This vulnerability can lead to heap corruption, potentially allowing unauthorized actions. The impact can include unauthorized information disclosure and system modification.

  • Vulnerable component: V8 engine in web browsers.
  • Core weakness: Type confusion.
  • Main business impact: Data exposure and system compromise.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

A type confusion vulnerability in the V8 JavaScript engine can be exploited by a remote attacker. This vulnerability allows for heap corruption, which can lead to a compromise of system control. The exploit involves a specially crafted HTML page that, when rendered by an affected browser, triggers the vulnerability. This can result in significant business risk due to potential data breaches and system disruption.

  • Exposure via a crafted HTML page.
  • Attacker accesses via a vulnerable browser.
  • Triggering the vulnerability leads to control.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A type confusion vulnerability in the V8 JavaScript engine used by Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge presents a significant threat. Attackers can exploit this by directing users to a specially crafted web page, potentially leading to malicious code execution. Organizations utilizing affected browser versions face considerable risk, as this vulnerability can result in data corruption and system compromise. Its inclusion on the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog indicates active exploitation, suggesting a high level of urgency for mitigation.

  • Attackers with basic skills.
  • Requires user interaction with a malicious page.
  • High business risk and urgency.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

A critical vulnerability impacting Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge requires immediate attention to protect organizational systems and data. The vulnerability, a type confusion in V8, could allow remote attackers to exploit heap corruption through a crafted HTML page. This presents a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.

  • Find affected browsers.
  • Isolate or block risky sites.
  • Apply vendor fixes and verify.
  • Monitor for related incidents.

Frequently asked questions

What is the V8 engine in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge?

The V8 engine is the core component within Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers responsible for executing JavaScript code. It's a high-performance engine that enables dynamic and interactive web experiences by processing the scripts that make websites function.

What is CVE-2024-7971's weakness type?

CVE-2024-7971 is a type confusion vulnerability (CWE-843). This means the software incorrectly handles different data types, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation, such as heap corruption.

How is the CVE-2024-7971 vulnerability triggered?

An attacker can trigger this vulnerability by tricking a user into visiting a specially crafted HTML page. The mere act of rendering this page in an affected browser is enough to exploit the flaw; no other specific actions by the user are required for the exploit to initiate.

Who should be concerned about CVE-2024-7971?

Any organization using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge is at risk, as these browsers are internet-facing applications designed to process content from the web. This means the potential attack surface is public and accessible to anyone browsing the internet.

What is the first step to address this threat?

The immediate first step is to identify all instances of affected browser versions within your organization. Once identified, applying the vendor-released security updates is the primary method to remediate this vulnerability.

References