CVE-2008-5749 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Argument injection vulnerability in Google Chrome 1.0.154.36 on Windows XP SP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the --renderer-path option in a chromehtml: URI. NOTE: a third party disputes this issue, stating that Chrome "will ask for user permission" and "cannot launch the applet even [if] you have given out the permission."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5749 represents a disputed argument injection flaw in Google Chrome version 1.0.154.36 running on Windows XP Service Pack 3 systems. This issue specifically targets the --renderer-path command line option within the chromehtml: URI scheme, which could potentially allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the browser's handling of URI schemes and command line arguments, creating a pathway for malicious code execution without proper input validation.
The technical flaw manifests when Chrome processes the chromehtml: URI scheme with maliciously crafted arguments, particularly focusing on the --renderer-path parameter. This parameter is designed to specify the path to the renderer executable, but due to insufficient validation of user-supplied arguments, attackers can inject additional commands that get executed in the context of the browser process. The vulnerability falls under the category of command injection attacks and aligns with CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software systems. The attack requires the victim to visit a malicious webpage that contains the specially crafted chromehtml: URI, making this a client-side exploitation vector that relies on social engineering or drive-by download techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it represents a critical security flaw that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to user systems. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack scenario typically involves a user visiting a compromised website that delivers the malicious URI, which then triggers the command injection in the browser's renderer process. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and could be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated system permissions.
The disputed nature of this vulnerability stems from Google's own claims that the browser would "ask for user permission" before executing potentially malicious commands, suggesting that the vulnerability might not be exploitable in practice. However, security researchers and third-party analysts have questioned this assertion, noting that the user permission dialog might not effectively prevent automated exploitation or could be bypassed under certain conditions. This discrepancy highlights the complexity of assessing browser security vulnerabilities and the importance of proper input validation regardless of user interaction requirements. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for defense-in-depth approaches in security architecture, where multiple layers of protection are necessary to prevent exploitation even when initial safeguards appear to exist.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms for all command line arguments, particularly those that are directly passed to system execution functions. Organizations should ensure that Chrome installations are kept up to date with the latest security patches and consider implementing network-level controls to block suspicious URI schemes. The use of application whitelisting solutions can provide additional protection by restricting which executables can be launched from browser processes. Security professionals should also implement proper monitoring and logging of command line arguments to detect potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could be part of broader attack campaigns targeting browser components. The incident underscores the importance of comprehensive security testing and validation of security claims, particularly when dealing with complex software systems that handle user input and system interactions.