CVE-2013-2901 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in (1) libGLESv2/renderer/Renderer9.cpp and (2) libGLESv2/renderer/Renderer11.cpp in Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine (ANGLE), as used in Google Chrome before 29.0.1547.57, allow 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 • 05/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2901 represents a critical security flaw within the Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine (ANGLE) component of Google Chrome browser. This issue affects versions prior to 29.0.1547.57 and stems from integer overflow conditions present in the graphics rendering subsystem. The ANGLE library serves as a crucial bridge between web browsers and graphics hardware, translating OpenGL ES commands into DirectX commands on Windows platforms. These specific integer overflows occur in the Renderer9.cpp and Renderer11.cpp files, which handle graphics rendering for DirectX 9 and DirectX 11 respectively, making them particularly dangerous as they impact the core graphics processing capabilities of the browser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of integer arithmetic within the graphics rendering pipeline where developers failed to validate input values before performing mathematical operations that could result in integer overflow conditions. When an attacker crafts malicious graphics content or web page elements that trigger these overflow scenarios, the system's integer variables can wrap around to unexpected values, potentially leading to memory corruption or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-190 indicates it involves integer overflow conditions, while the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests this could enable more sophisticated attack vectors beyond simple denial of service. These integer overflows typically manifest when large input values are processed through graphics rendering functions that expect smaller, bounded parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, presenting significant risks to system stability and user security. Remote attackers can exploit these conditions to crash the Chrome browser or potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems, particularly when the browser processes maliciously crafted graphics content. The vulnerability affects users running Chrome versions before 29.0.1547.57, making it a widespread concern across numerous installations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that graphics rendering is fundamental to web browsing, meaning that simply visiting a compromised website could trigger these exploits. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it could enable attackers to execute code through compromised graphics rendering processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2901 primarily focus on immediate software updates to the latest Chrome versions that contain patches for these integer overflow conditions. Organizations should prioritize deployment of Chrome version 29.0.1547.57 or later, which includes fixes specifically addressing these rendering pipeline vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection. Browser hardening measures including sandboxing, privilege separation, and restricted graphics rendering capabilities should be enabled to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual graphics processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular vulnerability assessments should verify that all browser components remain updated against similar integer overflow vulnerabilities. The fix implemented in the patched versions addresses the specific integer overflow conditions in both renderer implementations, ensuring proper bounds checking and input validation before arithmetic operations are performed.