CVE-2013-2861 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the SVG implementation in Google Chrome before 27.0.1453.110 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 • 05/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2861 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Google Chrome's Scalable Vector Graphics implementation. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating potential exploitation opportunities for malicious actors. The specific weakness exists in the browser's handling of SVG elements, which are widely used for scalable graphics on the web. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the browser's memory management system through carefully crafted SVG content delivered over the internet. When Chrome processes malformed SVG elements, the memory allocated for these graphics objects can be freed while the application continues to reference the freed memory locations. This memory corruption can manifest in various ways depending on the execution context and system state. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts could potentially include arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or complete browser compromise. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 27.0.1453.110, indicating that the flaw was present in a significant portion of the browser's user base during that time period.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to end users and organizations relying on Chrome for web browsing activities. The remote exploitation capability means that users could be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or viewing compromised web content. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code on target systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of Chrome and the prevalence of SVG content in modern web applications. This vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and code execution through browser-based attacks, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code in the context of the browser process.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2013-2861 involves immediate upgrading to Chrome version 27.0.1453.110 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory management issues in the SVG implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all systems receive the security updates promptly. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions and browser hardening measures to reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security assessments and the need for robust memory safety practices in browser implementations. Security teams should monitor for related vulnerabilities and maintain awareness of the evolving threat landscape in browser-based attacks, particularly those targeting graphics rendering components that are frequently used in modern web applications.