CVE-2014-3165

What it actually does

Use-after-free in Blink WebSocket channel handling allows memory corruption when a temporary object outlives its expected scope during method completion.

Why it matters to the business

Attackers can crash browsers or potentially execute arbitrary code on user systems, risking data exposure, malware installation, or loss of user trust in affected web applications.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker hosts a malicious page that initiates a WebSocket connection crafted to prolong a temporary object's lifetime; when the object is freed prematurely the attacker reuses the dangling reference to corrupt memory and achieve code execution or denial of service.

How to fix it

Upgrade Google Chrome to version 36.0.1985.143 or later; apply all subsequent security updates promptly and ensure Debian Linux packages receive equivalent Chromium fixes.

How to confirm the fix worked

Verify installed Chrome version is at least 36.0.1985.143; re-test affected WebSocket functionality under controlled conditions to confirm no crash or corruption occurs.

Typical attack path

1. Victim visits attacker-controlled web page
2. Page opens WebSocket that triggers the vulnerable code path in Blink
3. Temporary object lifetime is extended beyond expected scope
4. Attacker reclaims freed memory with controlled data
5. Memory corruption leads to crash or arbitrary code execution

How to detect it

Review browser crash logs and telemetry for WebSocket-related faults; correlate with access to suspicious domains around the time of the incident.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize browser updates across all endpoints within 30 days
• Block or sandbox untrusted WebSocket traffic where feasible
• Monitor vendor advisories for any backported fixes in older distributions