CVE-2009-1413 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome 1.0.x does not cancel timeouts upon a page transition, which makes it easier for attackers to conduct Universal XSS attacks by calling setTimeout to trigger future execution of JavaScript code, and then modifying document.location to arrange for JavaScript execution in the context of an arbitrary web site. NOTE: this can be leveraged for a remote attack by exploiting a chromehtml: argument-injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-1413 represents a critical timing issue within Google Chrome version 1.0.x that fundamentally compromises the browser's security model. This flaw exists in the handling of JavaScript timeout mechanisms during page navigation events, creating a window where malicious actors can exploit the asynchronous nature of setTimeout functions to execute code in unintended contexts. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's inability to properly cancel active timeout events when a page transition occurs, which creates persistent execution channels that persist beyond the intended scope of the original page context. This issue is particularly dangerous because it directly undermines the security boundaries that separate different web origins and contexts, allowing for cross-site scripting attacks that can persist across navigation events.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Chrome's failure to properly manage the lifecycle of JavaScript execution contexts during navigation transitions. When a webpage calls setTimeout to schedule future JavaScript execution, the browser typically should cancel these scheduled events when the user navigates away from the page or when a new page loads. However, in version 1.0.x of Chrome, these timeout events were not being properly cleared or cancelled, meaning that JavaScript code scheduled to execute later could still run even after the user had navigated to a different page or domain. This behavior creates a persistent execution environment where malicious code can be triggered at arbitrary times, potentially executing in the context of different domains than originally intended. The flaw is particularly insidious because it leverages the legitimate JavaScript setTimeout functionality while exploiting the browser's incomplete cleanup of execution contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple cross-site scripting, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors that can be chained with other vulnerabilities to create remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness by first injecting malicious JavaScript code that schedules a timeout function, then manipulate the document.location property to trigger a page transition, and finally, when the timeout executes, it will run in the context of the new page or domain. This technique allows for Universal XSS attacks where the malicious code can execute in the security context of any target website, effectively bypassing the same-origin policy that normally protects users from cross-site scripting. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with other attack vectors such as chromehtml: argument-injection vulnerabilities, which can provide attackers with additional means to manipulate the browser's navigation behavior and further extend the attack surface.
The security implications of CVE-2009-1413 align with CWE-674, which describes the issue of uncontrolled recursion or unbounded resource consumption in the context of timeout and interval handling. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, as attackers can leverage the persistent execution context to harvest user credentials or perform other malicious activities. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the browser's security model where asynchronous execution contexts are not properly managed during navigation events, creating persistent attack vectors that can be exploited across different domains and security boundaries. Organizations and security professionals should note that this vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper resource cleanup and context management in browser security implementations, particularly when dealing with asynchronous JavaScript execution mechanisms that must be properly terminated during navigation transitions. The remediation involves ensuring that all scheduled timeout and interval events are properly cancelled when page transitions occur, which requires careful attention to the browser's event handling and resource management systems to prevent the persistence of execution contexts across security boundaries.