CVE-2013-2879 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 28.0.1500.71 does not properly determine the circumstances in which a renderer process can be considered a trusted process for sign-in and subsequent sync operations, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct phishing attacks via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-2879 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's security model that undermines the browser's ability to properly authenticate and authorize renderer processes during synchronization operations. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 28.0.1500.71 and stems from an improper implementation of trust boundaries within the browser's architecture. The flaw specifically impacts how Chrome determines when a renderer process can be considered trusted for sign-in and sync operations, creating a significant security gap that malicious actors can exploit to bypass normal authentication mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in Chrome's insufficient validation of renderer process trustworthiness during synchronization workflows. When a user attempts to sign in or sync data, Chrome must determine whether the renderer process can be trusted to handle sensitive authentication information. The flaw occurs because Chrome fails to properly evaluate the security context and trust level of renderer processes, potentially allowing untrusted processes to masquerade as legitimate trusted components. This misclassification enables attackers to craft malicious websites that can manipulate the browser's trust decisions, leading to unauthorized access to user accounts and synchronization data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of Chrome's authentication system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create convincing phishing pages that appear legitimate to the browser's security model, potentially stealing user credentials, accessing synced data, and performing unauthorized actions on behalf of users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core of Chrome's security architecture, affecting not just individual user sessions but potentially compromising large-scale synchronization operations that involve sensitive personal and professional information.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms in software components that handle authentication and authorization. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 Phishing, as it enables attackers to create more effective phishing campaigns by bypassing browser security controls. Additionally, the issue demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation and credential access patterns commonly associated with advanced persistent threat actors who seek to establish persistent access to user accounts and data synchronization services.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to Chrome version 28.0.1500.71 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to properly implement renderer process trust determination. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as network monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns, user education about phishing awareness, and regular security audits of browser configurations. Security teams should consider implementing browser security policies that restrict renderer process capabilities and monitor for unusual sync operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and demonstrates how seemingly small flaws in trust model implementation can have significant security implications for user authentication and data protection systems.