CVE-2021-30548 : Security Advisory and Response

A remote attacker exploited a use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome before version 91.0.4472.101 to potentially corrupt the heap through a malicious HTML page.

Understanding CVE-2021-30548

This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of the CVE-2021-30548 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-30548?

The CVE-2021-30548 vulnerability is a use-after-free flaw present in Google Chrome versions prior to 91.0.4472.101. It could be exploited by a remote attacker to trigger heap corruption by enticing a user to visit a crafted HTML page.

The Impact of CVE-2021-30548

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service, posing a significant risk to the integrity and availability of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-30548

Below are the specific technical details associated with CVE-2021-30548.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper handling of certain functions in the Loader component of Google Chrome, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory allocations after they have been freed.

Affected Systems and Versions

Google Chrome versions prior to 91.0.4472.101 are impacted by this vulnerability. Users are advised to update to a secure version to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

By crafting a malicious HTML page and enticing a user to visit it, an attacker can trigger the use-after-free vulnerability, leading to potential heap corruption and subsequent malicious activities.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from the CVE-2021-30548 vulnerability, users and organizations should take the following steps.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 91.0.4472.101 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Avoid visiting untrusted websites or clicking on suspicious links to minimize the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Implement robust security measures such as network firewalls and intrusion detection systems to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Keep track of security advisories from Google Chrome and promptly install updates to protect against known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture.