CVE-2013-6802 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 31.0.1650.57 allows remote attackers to bypass intended sandbox restrictions by leveraging access to a renderer process, as demonstrated during a Mobile Pwn2Own competition at PacSec 2013, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-6632.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-6802 represents a critical sandbox escape flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 31.0.1650.57. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass intended sandbox restrictions by leveraging access to a renderer process, demonstrating the severe implications of sandbox mechanism failures in modern web browsers. The exploit was notably demonstrated during the Mobile Pwn2Own competition at PacSec 2013, highlighting the real-world applicability and severity of this particular flaw. Unlike CVE-2013-6632 which addressed different sandbox bypass mechanisms, CVE-2013-6802 specifically targeted weaknesses in the renderer process access controls that could be exploited to elevate privileges beyond the intended security boundaries.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from insufficient isolation mechanisms within Chrome's sandbox implementation, particularly in how renderer processes interact with system resources. When a renderer process gains unauthorized access or manipulation capabilities, it can potentially bypass the security boundaries that separate it from the operating system's core functions. This creates an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively neutralizing the sandbox protection that is fundamental to Chrome's security architecture. The vulnerability exploits the trust model between different browser components and the underlying operating system, allowing malicious code to escape the restricted environment designed to contain potential exploits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model that modern browsers employ to protect users from malicious web content. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation. The implications are particularly severe for mobile platforms where Chrome's sandboxing mechanisms are critical for protecting user data and device integrity. Organizations relying on Chrome for web browsing face significant risk exposure, as this vulnerability could be exploited through malicious websites or compromised web content without user interaction.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-6802 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates to Chrome version 31.0.1650.57 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the sandbox bypass mechanism. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious web traffic. Organizations should also consider deploying browser hardening techniques, including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and utilizing sandbox monitoring tools to detect anomalous behavior. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and sandbox evasion, requiring security teams to monitor for suspicious process behavior and implement defensive measures against code injection and memory corruption attacks that could exploit similar sandbox weaknesses.