CVE-2021-37975 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability found in the V8 JavaScript engine of Google Chrome versions prior to 94.0.4606.71. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page, which could result in arbitrary code execution or crashing the browser. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a high level of risk to organizations that use affected versions of the browser.
The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to significant impacts, as it affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or disrupt services. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately to protect against potential attacks.
This vulnerability has been analyzed and is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating its active exploitation in the wild. Timely updates and patches are critical to mitigate the associated risks.
Organizations using Google Chrome or browsers based on Chromium, such as Microsoft Edge and Opera, should ensure they are using the latest versions to avoid exposure to this vulnerability.
Immediate action is required to secure systems and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2021-37975 states that it is a use-after-free vulnerability in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 94.0.4606.71. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.8, classified as high severity, which reflects its potential impact on affected systems.
The affected products include Google Chrome, which is widely used across various operating systems, including Debian and Fedora distributions. The vulnerability was published on October 8, 2021.
The CWE classification for this vulnerability is CWE-416, which represents 'Use After Free'.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-37975 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the V8 engine, which can occur when memory is freed, but a pointer to that memory is still being used. This can lead to heap corruption, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code. The attack vector for this vulnerability is over the network, with low complexity, requiring no privileges, but necessitating user interaction.
The attack complexity is low, meaning that successful exploitation does not require advanced skills or methods. This vulnerability has a significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, making it a severe threat if left unpatched.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2021-37975 is substantial. Given that Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers, the potential for exploitation is high. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, perform actions on behalf of users, or disrupt browser functionality.
Organizations should note that the urgency of addressing this vulnerability is critical. With a CVSS score of 8.8 and its inclusion in the KEV catalog, immediate patching actions are necessary to protect against potential exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Google Chrome prior to 94.0.4606.71, as well as Debian Linux 10.0 and 11.0, and Fedora versions 33, 34, and 35. Organizations are advised to upgrade to the latest versions as soon as possible.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to mitigate this vulnerability. Google has released patches for Chrome, and users should update to version 94.0.4606.71 or later. Additionally, organizations should implement network controls to limit exposure to potential exploitation.
For those unable to immediately patch, consider implementing configuration hardening to minimize exposure and monitor for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts.
For further guidance on penetration testing and evaluating security postures, organizations can consider resources such as penetration testing services.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for indications of unusual memory access patterns or crashes in the browser. Behavioral anomalies that deviate from normal operations may also indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
System changes, particularly around browser updates and configuration changes, should be carefully logged and reviewed.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-37975 highlights the ongoing risks associated with web browser vulnerabilities, particularly in widely-used platforms like Google Chrome. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of timely updates and security awareness in mitigating risks.
Organizations should adopt a proactive approach by implementing a vulnerability management program and conducting regular security assessments. For further reading on vulnerability management, organizations can refer to vulnerability management program design strategies.
Additionally, understanding the implications of vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-37975 can inform better security practices. For insights on penetration testing methodologies, refer to penetration testing methodology to enhance security posture.
Finally, organizations should consider engaging in red teaming exercises to simulate potential attacks and better prepare for future threats. For more information, see our guide on red teaming strategies.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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