CVE-2013-0880 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
Use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome before 25.0.1364.97 on Windows and Linux, and before 25.0.1364.99 on Mac OS X, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to databases.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The CVE-2013-0880 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome browser versions prior to specific patches across multiple operating systems. This vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions before 25.0.1364.97 on Windows and Linux platforms, and before 25.0.1364.99 on Mac OS X systems. The flaw occurs within the browser's database handling mechanisms and demonstrates the dangerous consequences of improper memory management in web browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which addresses use-after-free conditions, making it a direct descendant of memory safety issues that have plagued software systems for decades. This particular vulnerability falls into the category of remote code execution risks as defined by the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059, where adversaries can leverage memory corruption flaws to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Chrome's database subsystem where a freed memory pointer is accessed after the associated memory has been deallocated. When processing certain database operations, Chrome's rendering engine fails to properly track memory references, creating a window where an attacker can manipulate the browser into accessing already freed memory locations. This particular flaw manifests when Chrome handles specific database operations that involve complex memory allocation and deallocation patterns, particularly those related to indexed database operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the browser's core database handling code, which is frequently accessed during normal web browsing activities, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers who can craft malicious web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0880 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to cause browsers to crash or behave unpredictably, but more concerning is the potential for full system compromise when the use-after-free condition leads to memory corruption that can be exploited for code execution. The vulnerability affects all major operating systems where Chrome is deployed, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments and individual users alike. The fact that different versions are required for patching across operating systems indicates the complexity of the underlying memory management issues and the need for coordinated security updates. Organizations using affected Chrome versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited through malicious websites without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0880 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates to versions that contain the necessary memory management fixes. System administrators should prioritize updating Chrome installations across all platforms to versions 25.0.1364.97 or later for Windows and Linux, and 25.0.1364.99 or later for Mac OS X. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly suitable for exploitation through drive-by downloads and malicious web content, emphasizing the importance of maintaining current browser versions. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict database access permissions and monitoring for unusual browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts, while user education regarding safe browsing practices remains essential. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the potential impact should exploitation occur. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-416 and its potential for code execution through remote attacks makes it a high-priority issue for security teams implementing defense-in-depth strategies.