CVE-2013-0926 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 26.0.1410.43 does not properly handle active content in an EMBED element during a copy-and-paste operation, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0926 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 26.0.1410.43 that specifically targets the browser's handling of embedded content during copy-and-paste operations. This issue falls under the category of improper handling of active content within EMBED elements, which are HTML tags used to embed external content such as plugins, applets, or other multimedia components into web pages. The flaw manifests when users perform copy-and-paste actions involving content that includes EMBED elements, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-170, which addresses improper handling of input that may contain unexpected control characters or malformed data, and more specifically with CWE-20, which covers input validation issues that could lead to code execution or information disclosure. The attack scenario involves a malicious website that crafts specific EMBED elements designed to exploit the browser's clipboard handling mechanism during copy operations, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way Chrome processes clipboard data when EMBED elements are involved in copy-paste operations. When a user selects and copies content that includes an EMBED element, the browser's clipboard system fails to properly sanitize or validate the embedded content before storing it in the clipboard buffer. This improper sanitization creates a scenario where malicious content embedded within the EMBED tag could be executed when the user pastes the content elsewhere, such as into a text editor, email client, or another web application. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it operates through user-assisted remote attacks, meaning that users must actively interact with the malicious website to trigger the exploit, but the attack does not require any special privileges or complex social engineering beyond convincing the user to visit a compromised site. The attack vector maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the vulnerability could potentially enable execution of malicious commands through clipboard manipulation. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal browser security restrictions by leveraging the clipboard as an attack surface, where embedded content could contain malicious payloads that execute upon paste operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0926 extends beyond simple information disclosure or minor functionality disruption, as it represents a potential pathway for more severe security breaches. While the exact nature of the unspecified impact mentioned in the vulnerability description is not fully detailed, the potential consequences could include arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or information theft. Attackers could craft malicious websites that embed specially crafted content within EMBED elements, which would then be executed when users paste the content into other applications or web forms. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users frequently copy and paste content between different applications, as the attack surface expands with each paste operation. The risk is elevated in corporate environments where employees regularly interact with web content and use copy-paste operations for productivity tasks. The vulnerability's presence in Chrome versions prior to 26.0.1410.43 indicates that it was a significant concern for users who had not yet updated their browsers, as the flaw persisted across multiple versions and could be exploited through legitimate web browsing activities. Organizations implementing security policies that rely on Chrome as a primary browser would need to ensure immediate patching to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to compromise user systems through seemingly benign web interactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0926 primarily focus on immediate browser updates and implementation of additional security measures to protect against exploitation. The most effective immediate solution is updating to Google Chrome version 26.0.1410.43 or later, which includes patches specifically designed to address the improper handling of EMBED elements during copy-and-paste operations. Organizations should implement automated patch management systems to ensure all user browsers are updated promptly, as this vulnerability could be exploited through drive-by downloads or malicious websites that users might inadvertently visit. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict clipboard access for untrusted websites, using content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious EMBED content, and educating users about the risks of copy-pasting content from untrusted sources. Network-level security controls such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability by monitoring for suspicious clipboard-related traffic patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms that isolate browser processes and limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in browser security implementations, particularly when handling embedded content that may contain executable code or malicious payloads. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other browser components and ensure comprehensive protection against clipboard-based attack vectors.