CVE-2018-6035 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient policy enforcement in DevTools in Google Chrome prior to 64.0.3282.119 allowed a remote attacker to potentially leak user local file data via a crafted Chrome Extension.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6035 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's DevTools implementation that existed prior to version 64.0.3282.119. This issue stems from insufficient policy enforcement mechanisms within the browser's developer tools framework, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit local file system access permissions. The flaw specifically affects the Chrome Extension architecture where DevTools components fail to properly validate or restrict file system access requests, allowing malicious extensions to bypass normal security boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted Chrome Extension that leverages the DevTools interface to access local file system resources. When a user interacts with a malicious extension, the extension can utilize DevTools APIs to request file system access without proper user consent or authorization checks. This represents a fundamental breakdown in Chrome's security model where the boundaries between extension permissions and local system access become porous. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of privilege escalation and information disclosure, as attackers can potentially access sensitive user data stored on local machines.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to user privacy and system security. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to extract local files from compromised systems, potentially accessing personal documents, configuration files, or other sensitive data stored locally. The impact extends beyond individual user privacy concerns to potential corporate data breaches, as attackers could access files containing proprietary information, credentials, or other confidential data. The remote nature of the attack means that users do not need to actively interact with malicious content to be compromised, as the exploit can function through standard browsing activities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and demonstrates weaknesses in privilege management within browser extension frameworks. This flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically the use of scripting languages through browser-based attacks, and T1070, covering indicator removal through file system access. The issue represents a classic case of inadequate sandboxing where the DevTools interface fails to properly enforce the security boundaries that should separate extension functionality from direct system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6035 require immediate system updates to Chrome version 64.0.3282.119 or later, which implements proper policy enforcement mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of installed Chrome Extensions, particularly those with file system access permissions, and disable or remove any extensions that are not essential for business operations. Browser security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that DevTools access is properly restricted and that users cannot inadvertently grant unnecessary permissions to extensions. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious extension behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of only installing extensions from trusted sources and regularly reviewing extension permissions.