CVE-2018-17468 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect handling of timer information during navigation in Blink in Google Chrome prior to 70.0.3538.67 allowed a remote attacker to obtain cross origin URLs via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17468 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Blink rendering engine that powers Google Chrome and Chromium-based browsers. This issue manifests during navigation operations when the browser incorrectly processes timer information, creating an avenue for remote attackers to extract cross-origin URLs through maliciously crafted HTML content. The vulnerability exists in the way Blink manages timing data structures during page transitions, specifically affecting the browser's ability to properly isolate and secure information between different origin domains.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of timing information within the browser's navigation stack. When a user navigates between pages, Blink maintains various timer-related data structures that track page load progress and timing metrics. The flaw occurs when these timer objects are not properly cleared or secured during navigation, allowing malicious JavaScript code to access timing information that should be restricted to the same origin. This cross-origin information leakage can reveal sensitive URL paths and navigation patterns that would normally be protected by the browser's same-origin policy enforcement mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform cross-origin information gathering without requiring any privileged access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The attacker can construct a crafted HTML page that triggers navigation events and then extracts timing information to infer the existence and structure of cross-origin resources. This capability significantly undermines the browser's security model by allowing information disclosure that violates fundamental web security principles. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates entirely within the browser's rendering engine and does not require any additional attack vectors or user actions beyond visiting a compromised site.
The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information disclosure, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to information gathering and reconnaissance. This vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient access control where timing data that should remain isolated between origins becomes accessible through improper cleanup of navigation state. The issue specifically affects browsers running versions prior to 70.0.3538.67, making it crucial for organizations to maintain up-to-date browser versions as part of their security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17468 primarily involve immediate browser updates to versions that contain the patched Blink rendering engine. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems running Chrome or Chromium-based browsers receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing strict content security policies that limit the execution of potentially malicious scripts and monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying browser hardening configurations that further restrict the capabilities of web content and implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious navigation patterns associated with this vulnerability.