CVE-2014-7905 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 39.0.2171.65 on Android does not prevent navigation to a URL in cases where an intent for the URL lacks CATEGORY_BROWSABLE, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-7905 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 39.0.2171.65 on Android platforms. This issue stems from improper handling of Android intent filters within the browser's navigation system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent intended access controls. The flaw specifically targets the browser's interaction with Android's intent mechanism, which is designed to facilitate secure communication between applications and web content. When a web page attempts to navigate to a URL that should be restricted due to missing CATEGORY_BROWSABLE intent categories, Chrome fails to properly validate these restrictions, allowing unauthorized access to protected resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Chrome's failure to properly enforce Android's intent security model during URL navigation. In normal Android operation, applications declare intent filters with specific categories including CATEGORY_BROWSABLE to indicate which URLs can be opened by the browser. When Chrome encounters a navigation request to a URL without this category, it should reject the navigation or properly handle the intent through secure channels. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to craft web pages that exploit this missing validation, enabling navigation to restricted URLs that should normally be inaccessible. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of application isolation and access control that are essential for mobile platform security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple navigation bypasses, creating potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploits. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to applications or resources that should be protected by intent-based access controls. The vulnerability particularly affects Android environments where Chrome serves as the primary browser for handling external intents, making it a critical concern for users who rely on the browser for accessing web content that might trigger system-level navigation. This flaw essentially undermines the security boundary between web content and native Android applications, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive functionality or data that should remain protected.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through application vulnerabilities. The flaw demonstrates how mobile browser implementations can inadvertently create security gaps when integrating with platform-level security mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating Chrome to version 39.0.2171.65 or later to address this issue, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a straightforward method for bypassing intended access restrictions. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level controls to monitor and restrict navigation to potentially malicious sites that might exploit this vulnerability, particularly in environments where mobile device security is paramount. The fix implemented by Google involved strengthening the validation of intent categories during navigation processing, ensuring that URLs lacking proper CATEGORY_BROWSABLE declarations are properly rejected by the browser engine.