CVE-2013-2908 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 30.0.1599.66 uses incorrect function calls to determine the values of NavigationEntry objects, which allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar via vectors involving a response with a 204 (aka No Content) status code.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2908 affects Google Chrome versions prior to 30.0.1599.66 and represents a significant security flaw in the browser's navigation handling mechanism. This issue stems from improper function calls within Chrome's NavigationEntry object management system, which governs how the browser tracks and displays navigation history. The flaw specifically manifests when processing HTTP responses with 204 status codes, which indicate a successful request but with no content returned. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to manipulate the browser's address bar display, creating a deceptive user experience that can facilitate phishing attacks and other social engineering schemes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in Chrome's incorrect implementation of function calls that determine NavigationEntry values during HTTP response processing. When a server responds with a 204 status code, the browser should maintain the original URL in the address bar while processing the empty response. However, the flawed implementation causes the browser to incorrectly update the NavigationEntry object with potentially malicious or altered URL information. This misconfiguration allows attackers to craft HTTP responses that manipulate how the browser displays the current page address, effectively bypassing normal security mechanisms designed to prevent address bar spoofing.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2908 extends beyond simple visual deception, as it enables sophisticated phishing attacks that can fool users into believing they are visiting legitimate websites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious content on a server that returns 204 status codes while manipulating the URL displayed in the browser's address bar. This creates a false sense of security for users who may be tricked into entering sensitive information on what they believe to be a trusted site. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on 204 responses for various operations, making it a significant concern for online banking, e-commerce, and corporate web applications. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the implementation of proper input validation and output sanitization, specifically categorized under CWE-20 Improper Input Validation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it enables attackers to execute deceptive operations through manipulated browser navigation.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2013-2908 involves updating Google Chrome to version 30.0.1599.66 or later, which contains the necessary patches to correct the function call implementation in NavigationEntry handling. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual 204 status code patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though this approach provides only secondary protection. Browser security policies should be reviewed to ensure proper handling of HTTP responses, and users should be educated about the risks of address bar spoofing. Additionally, web developers should be aware of this vulnerability when designing applications that utilize 204 status codes, ensuring their implementations do not inadvertently contribute to similar issues in browser behavior. The fix implemented by Google addresses the core issue by correcting how the browser processes navigation entries during 204 response handling, ensuring that the address bar displays the correct URL regardless of the HTTP response status code. This remediation aligns with industry best practices for secure browser implementation and helps prevent similar vulnerabilities in future browser versions.