CVE-2013-2834 in Chrome OS
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome OS before 26.0.1410.57 does not properly enforce origin restrictions for the O3D and Google Talk plug-ins, which allows remote attackers to bypass the domain-whitelist protection mechanism via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-2835.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-2834 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome OS versions prior to 26.0.1410.57 that undermines the browser's fundamental security model. This issue specifically affects the O3D and Google Talk plug-ins, which are integral components of the Chrome OS ecosystem designed to provide rich media and communication capabilities. The flaw resides in the improper enforcement of origin restrictions, which are essential security mechanisms that prevent unauthorized access to system resources and protect users from malicious web content. The vulnerability creates a pathway for remote attackers to circumvent domain-whitelist protection mechanisms that should normally prevent these plug-ins from accessing data from unauthorized origins, thereby exposing users to potential exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the failure of Chrome OS to properly validate and enforce the security boundaries that should exist between different web origins and plug-in functionalities. When the O3D and Google Talk plug-ins are loaded in a web context, they should only be able to access resources from domains that have been explicitly whitelisted by the user or system administrator. However, the flaw allows attackers to craft malicious websites that can bypass these security restrictions, potentially enabling them to access sensitive data, execute arbitrary code, or perform actions that should be restricted to trusted origins. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and the security model that separates different execution contexts within the browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a vector to compromise user systems and potentially access sensitive information. When exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to user data, manipulate communication channels, or leverage the compromised plug-ins to establish persistent access to affected systems. The implications are particularly concerning given that Chrome OS was designed as a security-focused operating system, and vulnerabilities that undermine its core security mechanisms can have far-reaching consequences for users who rely on the platform for sensitive activities. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-284 indicates that it involves improper access control mechanisms, while its relationship to the broader Chrome OS security model suggests potential connections to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate system updates to Chrome OS version 26.0.1410.57 or later, which contain the necessary patches to properly enforce origin restrictions for the affected plug-ins. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider temporary restrictions on the use of O3D and Google Talk plug-ins until full updates are deployed. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks associated with visiting untrusted websites and should be encouraged to maintain current system updates to protect against similar vulnerabilities. The patch addresses the underlying issue by strengthening the validation mechanisms that check origin restrictions, ensuring that plug-in access is properly constrained to authorized domains and preventing the bypass of security controls that were intended to protect user data and system integrity.