CVE-2013-0833 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 24.0.1312.52 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via vectors related to printing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0833 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 24.0.1312.52 that specifically manifests during printing operations. This issue falls under the broader category of memory safety vulnerabilities and is classified as a CWE-125 out-of-bounds read condition, where the application attempts to access memory beyond the allocated boundaries. The flaw occurs within the browser's print handling subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal user interactions with print functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Chrome's rendering engine encountering malformed or specially crafted print requests that cause memory access violations when processing print-related data structures. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious print jobs or manipulating print parameters in ways that trigger the out-of-bounds memory access pattern. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of print preview and actual print execution processes, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to read memory locations that should remain protected. This type of flaw typically arises from inadequate input validation within the print subsystem code, where the application fails to properly validate the size and content of print data before processing.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to cause denial of service conditions in affected Chrome installations, potentially leading to browser crashes and system instability. The out-of-bounds read can result in unpredictable behavior including application hangs, memory corruption, or even system crashes that may require manual restarts. While the primary impact is denial of service rather than arbitrary code execution, the vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone in more sophisticated attack chains. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where printing functionality is heavily used, as it can be exploited to disrupt business operations and potentially serve as a reconnaissance tool for more advanced attacks.
The exploitation of CVE-2013-0833 aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 command and script interpreter and T1499 endpoint denial of service, as it enables attackers to disrupt normal system operations through crafted print requests. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to upgrade to Chrome version 24.0.1312.52 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and memory validation in the print handling code. Additional mitigations include restricting print functionality in high-security environments, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for unusual print job patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive input validation and memory safety practices in browser implementations, particularly in subsystems that handle user-provided data such as printing operations.