CVE-2013-2878 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 28.0.1500.71 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via vectors related to the handling of text.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2878 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 28.0.1500.71. This issue specifically manifests during the processing of text elements within the browser's rendering engine, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit malformed text input to trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that have long been recognized as significant threats to software stability and security. According to the CWE catalog, this corresponds to CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Chrome's text handling mechanisms encounter specially crafted text data that causes the browser to attempt reading memory beyond allocated buffer limits. This typically happens during the parsing and rendering of web content where text elements are processed without proper bounds checking. When the browser encounters malformed text sequences, the rendering engine fails to validate input parameters adequately, leading to memory access violations that manifest as out-of-bounds read operations. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely through web pages without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities in client applications to achieve remote code execution or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as out-of-bounds read conditions can potentially be chained with other exploits to achieve more severe outcomes including arbitrary code execution. When such memory access violations occur, they often result in browser crashes or instability, effectively causing denial of service for legitimate users. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can deploy malicious web pages that automatically trigger the exploit without user consent, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Organizations relying on Chrome for web browsing operations face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited through standard web traffic without any additional attack surface requirements. The affected versions of Chrome represent a substantial user base that would be vulnerable to this attack vector, especially considering the widespread adoption of the browser across enterprise and consumer environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2878 primarily focus on immediate remediation through browser updates to version 28.0.1500.71 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds read vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected Chrome installations, particularly in enterprise environments where browser security is paramount. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict access to potentially malicious web content, utilizing content security policies to limit script execution, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can identify unusual browser behavior patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security patch management and continuous monitoring of browser security updates, as these out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities often serve as initial access points for more sophisticated attacks. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential memory safety issues in browser components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar classes of vulnerabilities.