CVE-2009-3932 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The Gears plugin in Google Chrome before 3.0.195.32 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and plugin crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified use of the Gears SQL API, related to putting "SQL metadata into a bad state."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3932 affects the Gears plugin component within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 3.0.195.32. This issue represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates how web browser plugins can become attack vectors for remote code execution and system compromise. The Gears plugin was designed to provide offline web application capabilities and local data storage functionality, but contained significant implementation flaws that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw resides in the Gears SQL API implementation where improper handling of SQL metadata leads to memory corruption conditions. When attackers craft specific SQL operations through the Gears plugin interface, they can manipulate internal database structures to place SQL metadata into an inconsistent or invalid state. This condition creates memory corruption that manifests as plugin crashes or, in more severe cases, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context. The vulnerability operates through user-assisted remote exploitation, meaning that a user must interact with a malicious website or web content for the attack to succeed, but the actual exploitation requires no additional user interaction beyond visiting the compromised site.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions. While the initial exploitation might result in browser crashes and plugin instability, the memory corruption aspect presents a more serious threat where attackers could potentially leverage the flaw to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process. This capability enables attackers to perform actions such as stealing user credentials, accessing sensitive data, or installing malware on the victim's system. The vulnerability affects the core browser functionality and represents a significant weakness in the security model of web applications that rely on local storage and offline capabilities.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the Gears plugin was designed to provide persistent local storage capabilities, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to maintain persistent access or exfiltrate data. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader browser security posture assessment, particularly in environments where legacy web applications depend on Gears functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3932 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to version 3.0.195.32 or later, which contains patches addressing the SQL metadata handling issues. Additionally, organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary plugins, implementing strict content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious browser behavior. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include verification that all browser plugins are updated to supported versions, as legacy plugins like Gears often contain unpatched vulnerabilities that remain attractive targets for attackers. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and the risks associated with keeping outdated plugin components that may contain known security flaws.