CVE-2013-2848 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
The XSS Auditor in Google Chrome before 27.0.1453.93 might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2848 represents a significant security weakness in Google Chrome's XSS Auditor implementation prior to version 27.0.1453.93. This flaw specifically affects the browser's cross-site scripting protection mechanisms that are designed to detect and prevent malicious script injection attempts. The XSS Auditor serves as a critical defense layer within the browser's security architecture, operating as a proactive measure to identify potential cross-site scripting attacks by analyzing incoming content and request parameters for suspicious patterns that could indicate malicious intent.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization processes within the XSS Auditor module. Attackers could exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve carefully crafted web requests or content delivery mechanisms that bypass the normal detection protocols. The vulnerability allows remote threat actors to potentially obtain sensitive information that would normally be protected by the browser's security policies. This represents a fundamental failure in the browser's ability to properly enforce its security boundaries, creating a potential pathway for data exfiltration or further exploitation of user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it undermines the core trust model that users place in their browser's security features. When an XSS Auditor fails to properly detect malicious scripts, it creates opportunities for attackers to harvest session cookies, user credentials, or other sensitive data from web applications that rely on the browser's security protections. This vulnerability particularly affects users of older Chrome versions who may be running applications that depend on the XSS Auditor for protection against common web-based attacks. The risk is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability exists in a core browser security component that is expected to provide robust protection against one of the most prevalent web application attack vectors.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The weakness represents a failure in input validation and output encoding that allows malicious scripts to execute in the context of a user's session. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under initial access and credential access techniques, as successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking or privilege escalation. Organizations relying on Chrome as their primary browser for web applications face significant risk if users continue to operate with vulnerable versions, as this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against enterprise users or individuals with access to sensitive systems.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability primarily involves immediate upgrading to Chrome version 27.0.1453.93 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS Auditor implementation flaws. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all user devices receive security updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, using web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify potential exploitation vectors. Organizations should also consider deploying browser security extensions or additional monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training for users about the importance of keeping browsers updated remains crucial in defending against such vulnerabilities that exploit outdated software components.