CVE-2010-3248 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 6.0.472.53 does not properly restrict copying to the clipboard, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3248 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 6.0.472.53 where the browser fails to properly enforce restrictions on clipboard operations. This weakness stems from inadequate validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to exploit the clipboard functionality in ways that were not intended by the browser's security model. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's handling of copy operations, where legitimate user interactions with clipboard data are not sufficiently constrained to prevent unauthorized access or manipulation. The lack of proper access controls means that potentially sensitive information could be inadvertently exposed or manipulated through clipboard operations that should remain restricted.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in how Chrome processes clipboard copy commands and manages the data transfer between web content and the system clipboard. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, where the browser fails to properly enforce permissions on clipboard operations. The insufficient restriction mechanism allows for potential privilege escalation scenarios where malicious web content could access or modify clipboard contents that should remain protected. The attack surface expands when considering that clipboard data often contains sensitive information such as passwords, personal identification numbers, or other confidential data that users expect to remain secure within the browser environment. This weakness creates a vector for information leakage attacks where adversaries can potentially extract data from the clipboard through crafted web pages or malicious extensions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential data manipulation and privacy violations. Attackers could leverage this flaw to capture sensitive clipboard contents from users without their knowledge or consent, particularly when users are engaged in activities involving confidential data entry or communication. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability could be exploited in multiple ways depending on the specific context and user behavior. This could include scenarios where users copy and paste data between applications, or where clipboard monitoring tools are employed within the browser environment. The vulnerability particularly affects users who frequently interact with sensitive information and rely on the browser's security model to protect their data integrity. The risk is compounded by the fact that the exploitation may occur without user awareness, making detection and prevention particularly challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3248 should focus on immediate browser updates to version 6.0.472.53 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the clipboard restriction bypass. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser security policies that mandate regular updates and monitor for vulnerable browser versions in their environments. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of protection such as clipboard monitoring tools that can detect unauthorized access attempts to clipboard data. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms within browser architectures, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1115 which covers clipboard data access. Network administrators should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and restricting the execution of potentially malicious web content through sandboxing mechanisms. Regular security assessments should include verification of browser versions and configuration settings to ensure that clipboard operations remain properly restricted and that no unauthorized access pathways exist within the browser's security model.