CVE-2013-0887 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The developer-tools process in 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 privileges during interaction with a connected server, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0887 resides within the developer-tools functionality of Google Chrome browsers across multiple operating systems. This flaw affects versions prior to 25.0.1364.97 on Windows and Linux platforms, and before 25.0.1364.99 on macOS systems. The issue stems from inadequate privilege management during communication between the browser's developer tools and external servers, creating potential security risks that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the privilege restriction mechanisms that should govern how developer tools interact with network resources and connected servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of privilege escalation opportunities within Chrome's developer tools component. When developers utilize these tools to connect to servers or network resources, the browser fails to adequately enforce security boundaries that would normally prevent unauthorized access or privilege elevation. This weakness allows for potential privilege escalation attacks where malicious code could leverage the developer tools interface to gain elevated system access or execute unauthorized operations. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that multiple exploitation pathways may exist, potentially including remote code execution or data compromise scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0887 extends beyond simple privilege escalation concerns, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in Chrome's security model for developer environments. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access points. The vulnerability affects users who regularly utilize Chrome's developer tools, particularly those working in environments where network connections to untrusted servers are common. Organizations relying on Chrome for development work or browser-based applications would face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to compromise entire development environments or target downstream applications.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management in software systems, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control mechanisms. From an attack perspective, the flaw maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and execution through web browsers. The lack of proper privilege boundaries in Chrome's developer tools creates an attack surface that could be exploited through various vectors including malicious web content or compromised network connections. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while users should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining strict privilege boundaries even in development tools, as these interfaces often receive elevated trust levels from users and may not be properly secured against malicious exploitation attempts.