CVE-2013-6649 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the RenderSVGImage::paint function in core/rendering/svg/RenderSVGImage.cpp in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 32.0.1700.102, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors involving a zero-size SVG image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2021
The CVE-2013-6649 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Blink rendering engine that powers Google Chrome browsers. This vulnerability specifically resides in the RenderSVGImage::paint function located in core/rendering/svg/RenderSVGImage.cpp, making it a fundamental component of the browser's SVG rendering pipeline. The flaw manifests when processing zero-size SVG images, which creates a dangerous condition where memory previously allocated to an object is accessed after it has been freed, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 32.0.1700.102, representing a significant window of exposure for users running outdated browser versions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious SVG content with zero dimensions that triggers the problematic code path during rendering. When the browser attempts to paint such an SVG image, the RenderSVGImage::paint function encounters a scenario where it accesses memory that has already been deallocated, creating a use-after-free condition. This memory corruption can occur during the painting phase of SVG rendering, where the system attempts to access freed memory locations that were previously associated with the SVG image object. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through web content, requiring no local interaction from the user, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by download attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6649 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. While the primary reported impact is denial of service, the use-after-free condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute malicious code within the browser's memory space. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper memory management can create security risks. The attack vector through web content means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or viewing crafted emails containing malicious SVG content, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments and individual users alike.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate browser updates to version 32.0.1700.102 or later, which contain patches addressing the memory management issues in the SVG rendering code. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly, as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SVG content, particularly zero-size SVG images. Additionally, browser hardening measures including sandboxing and strict content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving memory corruption and privilege escalation, and the mitigation strategies should consider both defensive measures and incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.