CVE-2013-2863 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 27.0.1453.110 does not properly handle SSL sockets, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2863 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Google Chrome's SSL socket handling mechanisms. This vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 27.0.1453.110 and stems from improper management of secure socket layer connections that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions. The technical nature of this flaw indicates a fundamental weakness in how Chrome processes SSL/TLS connections, specifically within its socket implementation that handles encrypted communications between web browsers and servers. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, suggesting the memory corruption occurs during SSL socket operations where buffer boundaries are not properly enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios, as it creates a pathway for attackers to compromise user systems through man-in-the-middle attacks or by compromising legitimate websites that use SSL encryption. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious SSL connections that trigger memory corruption when Chrome attempts to process them, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that users need only visit compromised websites or interact with malicious network traffic for exploitation to occur, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. This weakness directly violates the principle of secure communication and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.001, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications, as the vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate SSL communications to achieve their objectives.
The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability creates multiple potential attack vectors since SSL sockets are fundamental to web browsing operations. When Chrome encounters malformed or malicious SSL socket data, the improper handling can result in memory corruption that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process. This represents a severe privilege escalation risk, as the Chrome process typically runs with user-level privileges but can potentially be leveraged to gain further system access. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread usage of Chrome as a web browser, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise large numbers of users simultaneously. Organizations and individuals must understand that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping browser software updated, as the fix provided in Chrome version 27.0.1453.110 addresses the underlying socket handling mechanisms that were susceptible to memory corruption attacks. The vulnerability's presence in the SSL/TLS implementation also highlights the need for robust input validation and memory safety practices in cryptographic libraries and network protocol handlers, as these components form the foundation of secure internet communications.