CVE-2009-3264 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The getSVGDocument method in Google Chrome before 3.0.195.21 omits an unspecified "access check," which allows remote web servers to bypass the Same Origin Policy and conduct cross-site scripting attacks via unknown vectors, related to a user s visit to a different web server that hosts an SVG document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3264 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome browser versions prior to 3.0.195.21 that fundamentally compromised the browser's security model. This issue specifically targeted the getSVGDocument method, which is a crucial component in handling Scalable Vector Graphics content within web browsers. The vulnerability arose from an unspecified access check that was omitted during the implementation of this method, creating a significant bypass mechanism that undermined the fundamental security principle of same origin policy enforcement.
The technical flaw manifested when remote web servers could exploit the missing access control mechanism to circumvent browser security boundaries. This omission allowed malicious actors to construct attack vectors that enabled cross-site scripting attacks through SVG documents hosted on different web servers. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it leveraged the user's browsing session to access SVG content from disparate origins, effectively breaking down the security barriers that normally prevent such unauthorized cross-domain access. The unspecified nature of the missing access check suggests a fundamental design oversight in the implementation of the getSVGDocument method's security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was substantial as it enabled attackers to execute malicious code across different domains without proper authorization. When users visited web pages hosting SVG documents, the compromised getSVGDocument method allowed remote servers to access and manipulate SVG content from other origins, creating opportunities for data theft, session hijacking, and other malicious activities. This vulnerability particularly affected users who browsed websites that might have been compromised or hosted malicious SVG content, as the attack could occur simply through normal browsing behavior without any explicit user interaction beyond visiting the malicious sites. The security implications extended beyond simple cross-site scripting to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that could compromise entire user sessions and sensitive data.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms in software systems, and demonstrates how missing access checks in browser components can create severe security implications. The attack vector relates to ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through web-based attacks, and T1566, involving social engineering through malicious web content delivery. The flaw also connects to broader security concerns around content security policy enforcement and the protection of user data in web browsing environments. Organizations and users were particularly vulnerable when visiting compromised websites or when websites contained malicious SVG content that could exploit this access control bypass. The remediation required immediate browser updates and patching to restore proper access controls, emphasizing the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures in web browsers to prevent such critical security bypasses from being exploited by malicious actors.