CVE-2013-0885 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, does not properly restrict API privileges during interaction with the Chrome Web Store, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0885 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within Google Chrome's Web Store API interaction mechanisms. This flaw existed in Chrome versions prior to 25.0.1364.97 for Windows and Linux platforms, and before 25.0.1364.99 for macOS systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient restrictions on API privileges when Chrome applications interact with the Chrome Web Store ecosystem, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that this weakness could potentially enable various forms of unauthorized access or privilege manipulation within the browser environment.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in Chrome's improper handling of privilege levels during Web Store API communications. When Chrome applications attempt to interact with the Web Store, the browser should enforce strict privilege boundaries to prevent unauthorized access to system resources or elevated functionality. However, the vulnerability allows for privilege escalation through improper API access controls, potentially enabling attackers to bypass normal security restrictions that should normally prevent applications from accessing sensitive system functions or data. This flaw specifically affects the interaction between Chrome extensions and the Web Store service, where insufficient validation occurs during API privilege verification processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0885 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources or perform actions that should be restricted to privileged processes. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to manipulate extension installations, access restricted Web Store functionality, or potentially execute arbitrary code within the browser context. The vulnerability affects users across multiple operating systems, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited on various platforms without requiring specific target conditions. This cross-platform nature of the vulnerability increases its potential impact and makes it more challenging to defend against through platform-specific mitigations.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-276, which relates to improper privilege management, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting privileges to gain access to system resources. The vulnerability demonstrates how improper access control mechanisms can create pathways for attackers to escalate their privileges within a browser environment. Organizations and users should prioritize updating to patched versions of Chrome to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to perform actions that would normally require elevated privileges. The patch for this vulnerability involved implementing stricter API privilege validation and ensuring that Web Store interactions maintain appropriate security boundaries. Without proper updates, users remain exposed to potential exploitation that could lead to full system compromise through browser-based attack vectors.