CVE-2013-2837 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the SVG implementation in Google Chrome before 27.0.1453.93 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2837 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Google Chrome's Scalable Vector Graphics implementation, affecting versions prior to 27.0.1453.93. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating potential exploitation opportunities for remote attackers. The issue specifically resides in how Chrome handles SVG elements, which are commonly used for rendering graphics on web pages and in web applications. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free aligns with CWE-416, which details the improper handling of memory after it has been freed, making it a prime target for exploitation. Such flaws typically arise from insufficient memory management checks within complex rendering engines where multiple components interact with shared memory resources. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that SVG elements are frequently encountered on modern websites, making this vulnerability potentially exploitable through standard web browsing activities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to potentially cause denial of service conditions or achieve unspecified other impacts through unknown vectors that remain under investigation. The nature of use-after-free vulnerabilities means that attackers can manipulate memory contents or cause crashes that may lead to more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. The unspecified other impacts suggest that beyond simple denial of service, this vulnerability could potentially allow for privilege escalation or information disclosure depending on the specific memory corruption patterns. Attackers might leverage this flaw by crafting malicious SVG content that, when rendered by Chrome, triggers the use-after-free condition. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can compromise the browser's stability and security boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2837 is significant for organizations relying on Google Chrome as their primary browser, particularly given the widespread adoption of SVG graphics in modern web applications. Users encountering malicious websites containing crafted SVG elements could experience browser crashes, system instability, or potentially more severe security breaches if exploitation is successful. The vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security where rendering engines become attack vectors due to their extensive feature sets and memory management requirements. Organizations must consider the broader implications of such vulnerabilities in their security posture, as they can lead to cascading effects when users access compromised websites. The issue highlights the importance of timely patch management and the need for continuous security monitoring of browser components, particularly those handling multimedia and graphics rendering. This vulnerability type is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted content from multiple sources, increasing the probability of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2837 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 27.0.1453.93 or later, which addresses the underlying use-after-free condition in the SVG implementation. Organizations should also implement browser hardening measures including sandboxing, content security policies, and restricted browsing environments to limit potential exploitation. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help prevent access to known malicious SVG content. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning to identify potentially affected systems. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers might attempt to exploit such vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges or maintain persistent access. Regular security assessments of browser configurations and user access controls can help reduce the risk surface for this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing browser isolation technologies and privileged access management to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.