CVE-2021-38011 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Use after free in storage foundation in Google Chrome prior to 96.0.4664.45 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.

Understanding CVE-2021-38011

This CVE involves a use after free vulnerability in Google Chrome that could be exploited by a remote attacker for heap corruption.

What is CVE-2021-38011?

The CVE-2021-38011 is a use after free vulnerability in the storage foundation of Google Chrome versions prior to 96.0.4664.45. This security flaw could allow a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption through a specially crafted HTML page.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38011

This vulnerability could enable a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the application, leading to a potential compromise of the targeted system. It poses a significant security risk to users of the affected Chrome versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38011

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper handling of memory in the storage foundation of Google Chrome, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to heap corruption.

Affected Systems and Versions

Google Chrome versions prior to 96.0.4664.45 are affected by this vulnerability. Users of these versions are advised to update to the latest secure versions to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

By enticing a user to visit a malicious website hosting a specially crafted HTML page, an attacker can trigger the use after free vulnerability in Chrome, leading to potential heap corruption exploitation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure your systems against CVE-2021-38011, follow these recommendations:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 96.0.4664.45 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Avoid visiting untrusted or suspicious websites to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Implement strong web browsing security practices to minimize the impact of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates provided by Google Chrome and apply patches promptly to ensure your systems are protected against the latest security threats.