CVE-2018-6101 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
A lack of host validation in DevTools in Google Chrome prior to 66.0.3359.106 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page, if the user is running a remote DevTools debugging server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6101 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's DevTools implementation that existed prior to version 66.0.3359.106. This issue stems from insufficient host validation mechanisms within the debugging infrastructure that allows remote attackers to exploit a remote code execution vector through carefully crafted HTML content. The vulnerability specifically targets scenarios where users have a remote DevTools debugging server actively running, creating a dangerous attack surface that could be leveraged by malicious actors without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond visiting a compromised webpage.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a lack of proper host validation checks that should normally prevent unauthorized remote connections to the DevTools debugging server. When a user visits a malicious webpage containing crafted HTML elements, the DevTools infrastructure fails to properly verify the origin or host of incoming requests, allowing attacker-controlled code to be executed within the context of the debugging session. This flaw operates at the intersection of web browser security boundaries and debugging server protocols, where the normal security assumptions about host isolation and request validation are bypassed. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely without requiring any special privileges or user consent beyond visiting a malicious site, making it a prime candidate for drive-by attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6101 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential full system compromise when attackers leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain. Since DevTools typically operates with elevated privileges and access to the underlying system resources, successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete control over the affected system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only that a user be running a remote DevTools debugging server, which may occur in legitimate development environments, testing scenarios, or when users have inadvertently left debugging services active. This makes the attack surface more prevalent than initially apparent, as many developers and system administrators might not realize they are running such services or understand the security implications of leaving them accessible to remote connections.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates to Chrome version 66.0.3359.106 or later, which implements proper host validation checks within the DevTools component. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify and disable any unnecessary remote debugging services running on their systems. System administrators should enforce strict network segmentation policies that prevent unauthorized remote access to development environments and debugging services. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically concerning improper access control in debugging interfaces, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing malicious code through browser-based attack vectors. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for unusual DevTools activity, and maintaining strict access controls for debugging server configurations to prevent unauthorized remote connections.