CVE-2008-4724 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Google Chrome 0.2.149.30 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an ftp:// URL for an HTML document within a (1) JPG, (2) PDF, or (3) TXT file. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4724 represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw in Google Chrome version 0.2.149.30 that exploits the browser's handling of web content within specific file formats. This vulnerability specifically affects how Chrome processes HTML content embedded within image, document, and text files when accessed via ftp:// URLs, creating a dangerous vector for remote code execution through malicious web scripts.
The technical flaw resides in Chrome's content parsing mechanism where the browser fails to properly sanitize or validate file extensions and content types when processing files served through the File Transfer Protocol. When Chrome encounters an HTML document embedded within a JPG, PDF, or TXT file served over ftp://, the browser's rendering engine attempts to execute the embedded HTML code without adequate security checks. This processing error creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute within the context of the user's browsing session, bypassing standard security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code against unsuspecting users who access maliciously crafted files through the ftp:// protocol. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust users place in file downloads and the automatic execution behavior of modern browsers. Attackers can craft malicious files that appear legitimate but contain embedded HTML payloads designed to steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform other malicious activities that compromise user security and data integrity.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and browser environments. The issue demonstrates how browser security can be compromised through improper handling of file content types and protocol-specific parsing behaviors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving malicious file execution and code injection within web browsers, potentially enabling further exploitation through privilege escalation or data exfiltration activities. The vulnerability also highlights weaknesses in content validation and protocol handling that could be exploited in broader attack chains targeting web browser security models.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate browser updates to patched versions, implementation of strict content filtering policies for ftp:// protocol usage, and user education regarding the risks of accessing untrusted files through file transfer protocols. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious HTML content within non-HTML file types, while security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The incident underscores the importance of comprehensive content validation and protocol-specific security controls in preventing cross-site scripting attacks that exploit browser rendering behaviors.