CVE-2013-2849 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Google Chrome before 27.0.1453.93 allow user-assisted remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving a (1) drag-and-drop or (2) copy-and-paste operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2849 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome browser versions prior to 27.0.1453.93, classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 as cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the browser's handling of user interactions, specifically during drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste operations that occur in web contexts. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the OSI model, exploiting the browser's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied content that gets processed through these specific interaction methods.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious actors craft specially designed content that, when processed through Chrome's drag-and-drop or copy-and-paste functionality, gets executed in the context of the victim's browsing session. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that can persistently execute within the target user's browser environment. The attack vector requires user interaction, making it a user-assisted remote attack that aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution. The flaw essentially bypasses the browser's security model by treating malicious content as legitimate input during these specific operations, creating a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the victim's system.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2849 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, session manipulation, and data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to user sessions, particularly in environments where users interact with untrusted content or perform frequent copy-paste operations across multiple web applications. The vulnerability affects the core browser functionality and can be particularly dangerous in corporate environments where users may unknowingly interact with malicious content through routine web activities. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of input validation at all levels of web application processing, as the vulnerability exists in the browser's core rendering and interaction handling mechanisms rather than in specific web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate browser updates to version 27.0.1453.93 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS handling flaws in drag-and-drop and copy-paste operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all browser installations are updated promptly, as this vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering or by delivering malicious content through compromised websites. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, deploying content security policies that restrict script execution, and educating users about the risks of interacting with untrusted content through drag-and-drop or copy-paste operations. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of maintaining robust security practices at both the application and browser levels, as the flaw exists in the fundamental interaction handling mechanisms that are essential for modern web browsing experiences.