CVE-2013-0881 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
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 (incorrect read operation) via crafted data in the Matroska container format.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0881 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting Google Chrome browsers across multiple operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the media processing components within Chrome that handle Matroska container format files, which are commonly used for video and audio streaming. The flaw exists in versions prior to 25.0.1364.97 for Windows and Linux platforms and before 25.0.1364.99 for macOS systems. The issue stems from improper handling of crafted data within the Matroska container structure, which can lead to incorrect read operations that ultimately result in browser crashes or complete system unresponsiveness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's media decoder component failing to properly validate and sanitize input data within Matroska files. When Chrome encounters maliciously constructed Matroska containers containing specially crafted data structures, the media processing engine attempts to perform incorrect memory read operations that exceed allocated buffer boundaries or access invalid memory regions. This improper memory handling triggers a cascade of errors within the browser's multimedia subsystem, causing the application to terminate unexpectedly or become unresponsive. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0881 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it affects a widely used browser application that serves as a primary interface for web-based media consumption. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious Matroska files and delivering them through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects users across multiple platforms, making it a broad-spectrum threat that can impact both enterprise and individual users. The incorrect read operation can cause browsers to crash repeatedly, rendering them unusable until restart, which can disrupt productivity and potentially provide attackers with opportunities for persistent access through additional attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates to patched versions that address the memory handling issues within the Matroska container parser. System administrators should prioritize deployment of Chrome updates across all affected platforms, with particular attention to Windows and Linux systems that were vulnerable to earlier versions. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as attackers may leverage this flaw as part of broader attack chains that include user interaction through malicious media files. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening practices that limit the execution of potentially malicious media content, particularly when users access untrusted websites or download content from unknown sources. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated browser versions that may still be susceptible to this and similar media processing vulnerabilities.