CVE-2013-2913 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the XMLDocumentParser::append function in core/xml/parser/XMLDocumentParser.cpp in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 30.0.1599.66, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors involving an XML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2913 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Blink rendering engine's XML parsing functionality. This issue specifically affects Google Chrome versions prior to 30.0.1599.66 and resides in the XMLDocumentParser::append function located in core/xml/parser/XMLDocumentParser.cpp. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management during XML document processing, creating a scenario where freed memory regions can be accessed after their intended use has concluded.
The technical nature of this vulnerability classifies it under CWE-416, which defines use-after-free conditions as a fundamental memory safety issue. When an XML document is processed through the affected parser, the system allocates memory for XML elements and nodes, but fails to properly manage the lifecycle of these memory allocations. During the append operation, if certain parsing conditions are met, the parser may attempt to access memory that has already been freed, leading to undefined behavior. This memory corruption can manifest in various ways depending on the specific execution context and memory layout at the time of the access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more severe security consequences. Remote attackers can craft malicious XML documents that trigger the use-after-free condition when processed by vulnerable Chrome versions. While the primary reported impact is denial of service through browser crashes or hangs, the underlying memory corruption presents potential for more dangerous outcomes including arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can leverage this flaw through web-based attacks without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The attack surface for this vulnerability encompasses any web application or website that processes XML content through Chrome's rendering engine, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of web browsers for content consumption. The vulnerability demonstrates how XML parsing libraries can introduce memory safety issues that affect entire browser ecosystems, highlighting the importance of robust memory management in security-critical components. The exploitability characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities to achieve unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2913 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates to Chrome versions 30.0.1599.66 and later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should also implement network-based protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block suspicious XML content. Browser hardening techniques such as sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of regular security updates and the importance of maintaining current software versions to protect against known memory safety issues that can compromise system integrity.