CVE-2014-1706 in Chrome OS
Summary
by MITRE
crosh in Google Chrome OS before 33.0.1750.152 allows attackers to inject commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1706 affects crosh, which is the command-line shell interface in Google Chrome OS. This component serves as a critical interface for system administrators and users to execute low-level commands within the Chrome OS environment. The flaw exists in versions prior to 33.0.1750.152, representing a significant security risk as crosh operates with elevated privileges and direct access to system resources. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious commands through unspecified vectors, potentially compromising the entire operating system. This issue resides within the Chrome OS security model where crosh acts as a bridge between user interactions and system-level operations, making it a prime target for exploitation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple command injection as it could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, effectively bypassing the operating system's security boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the crosh component. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to manipulate command execution flows, potentially leading to privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which describes weaknesses related to improper neutralization of special elements used in data queries, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple attack surfaces including web-based interfaces, command-line parameter handling, or web socket communications within the Chrome OS environment. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal command validation mechanisms and inject malicious payloads that execute with the privileges of the crosh process.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1706 is severe and multifaceted within Chrome OS deployments. Organizations relying on Chrome OS devices for business operations face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential full system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, or deploy additional malware within the affected systems. The vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise environments where Chrome OS devices are used for critical operations, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to corporate networks through compromised endpoints. The attack surface extends to any user interaction with crosh functionality, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege separation is crucial. This vulnerability also affects the integrity of the Chrome OS security architecture, potentially undermining trust in the operating system's ability to protect against malicious code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1706 primarily involve immediate patch deployment to update Chrome OS to version 33.0.1750.152 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all Chrome OS devices. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider implementing additional access controls and privilege management measures to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated systems to ensure compatibility with existing applications and services. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues within the Chrome OS ecosystem. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, indicating the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple attack phases. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.