CVE-2013-0886 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 25.0.1364.99 on Mac OS X does not properly implement signal handling for Native Client (aka NaCl) code, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0886 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's implementation of signal handling within the Native Client (NaCl) subsystem on macOS operating systems. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 25.0.1364.99 and stems from improper management of system signals that are crucial for maintaining application stability and security boundaries. The Native Client technology was designed to enable safe execution of native code within the browser environment, creating a sandboxed execution context that should isolate potentially malicious or unstable native code from the underlying operating system.
The technical flaw manifests in the inadequate signal handling mechanisms within Chrome's NaCl implementation, where the browser fails to properly intercept and process system signals that native code might attempt to send or receive. This improper signal management creates a potential attack surface where malicious native code could exploit the signal handling deficiencies to bypass security boundaries or cause unexpected behavior within the browser. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability could potentially be leveraged in multiple ways, including privilege escalation, memory corruption, or information disclosure scenarios. The vulnerability specifically impacts macOS systems where Chrome's NaCl implementation differs from other platforms, indicating a platform-specific implementation issue.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users who rely on Chrome for browsing activities, particularly when visiting untrusted websites or downloading content that might contain malicious native code. Attackers could potentially craft web pages that exploit the signal handling weakness to execute arbitrary code within the NaCl sandbox or gain elevated privileges on the system. The impact extends beyond simple browser compromise, as successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise or data theft. The vulnerability's presence in the Native Client subsystem means that even legitimate applications running within the NaCl environment could be affected, creating a broader attack surface than initially apparent.
The security implications align with CWE-254, which addresses weaknesses in signal handling that can lead to security vulnerabilities, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through native client code. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory browser updates to Chrome version 25.0.1364.99 or later, which contains the necessary signal handling fixes. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling NaCl support entirely if the functionality is not required for business operations, particularly in environments where the risk of malicious web content is high. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should verify that all systems have been updated to address this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that legitimate NaCl applications continue to function properly after the security patches are applied, while maintaining the enhanced signal handling protections.