CVE-2018-6047 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient policy enforcement in WebGL in Google Chrome prior to 64.0.3282.119 allowed a remote attacker to potentially leak user redirect URL via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6047 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's WebGL implementation that existed prior to version 64.0.3282.119. This issue stems from insufficient policy enforcement mechanisms within the WebGL graphics rendering subsystem, creating a potential pathway for remote attackers to exploit user privacy and security controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's handling of redirect URLs, which are fundamental components in web navigation and security boundary enforcement.
WebGL, which stands for Web Graphics Library, is a JavaScript API for rendering interactive 2D and 3D graphics within web browsers without requiring additional plugins. The flaw manifests when a malicious HTML page attempts to leverage WebGL's capabilities to access or manipulate redirect URL information that should normally be protected by browser security policies. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and cross-origin resource sharing restrictions that are fundamental to web security architecture.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a crafted HTML page that utilizes WebGL commands to potentially bypass normal browser security boundaries. Attackers can construct malicious web content that exploits the insufficient policy enforcement to extract redirect URL information from the browser's internal state. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 category of improper access control, specifically targeting the browser's security model that should prevent unauthorized access to sensitive user data. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate browser functionality to achieve unauthorized information leakage.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6047 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as redirect URL information can contain sensitive routing data, authentication tokens, or other potentially valuable information that could be used in subsequent attacks. This vulnerability could enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about user navigation patterns, or potentially identify security weaknesses in web applications that rely on proper redirect handling. The attack could be particularly effective in targeted campaigns where attackers seek to understand user behavior or extract specific information from web interactions.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The remediation approach involves updating Chrome to version 64.0.3282.119 or later, which implements proper policy enforcement mechanisms for WebGL operations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other browser components. The fix addresses the root cause by strengthening the WebGL security model to properly enforce access controls and prevent unauthorized information leakage through graphics rendering APIs.
This vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security architectures where legitimate functionality can be exploited when security boundaries are not properly maintained. The issue highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing for graphics APIs and the need for continuous monitoring of browser security implementations. Organizations should prioritize patch management for browser components and consider implementing browser security extensions or network-based protections to mitigate risks associated with such vulnerabilities. The remediation process also underscores the importance of staying current with security updates and maintaining awareness of emerging threats in web browser environments.