CVE-2018-18336 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the object lifecycle of PDFium in Google Chrome versions prior to 71.0.3578.80 could allow a remote attacker to potentially cause heap corruption by using a specially crafted PDF file.

Understanding CVE-2018-18336

This CVE refers to a specific vulnerability found in Google Chrome versions before 71.0.3578.80.

What is CVE-2018-18336?

The vulnerability in the object lifecycle of PDFium in Google Chrome versions prior to 71.0.3578.80 could be exploited by a remote attacker to potentially cause heap corruption by using a specially crafted PDF file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18336

The vulnerability could lead to heap corruption, potentially allowing a remote attacker to exploit the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18336

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an incorrect object lifecycle in PDFium in Google Chrome versions before 71.0.3578.80, enabling a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption via a crafted PDF file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: Prior to 71.0.3578.80

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by a remote attacker using a specially crafted PDF file to trigger heap corruption.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protective measures to address and prevent the CVE.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 71.0.3578.80 or later.
Avoid opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions.
Implement security best practices to mitigate similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Google Chrome to address known vulnerabilities.