CVE-2018-6147 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Lack of secure text entry mode in Browser UI in Google Chrome on Mac prior to 67.0.3396.62 allowed a local attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory via a local process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6147 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's browser interface on macOS systems. This issue stems from the browser's failure to implement proper secure text entry modes within its user interface, creating an avenue for local attackers to extract sensitive information from process memory. The vulnerability specifically affected Chrome versions prior to 67.0.3396.62, leaving users exposed to potential information disclosure threats.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in Chrome's handling of text input fields within its graphical user interface on macOS platforms. When users interact with text entry areas, the browser should employ secure text entry modes that prevent sensitive data from being cached in memory or accessible through process inspection techniques. However, the implementation lacked these protective mechanisms, allowing malicious processes running on the same system to potentially access memory segments containing user input data. This flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and demonstrates how improper input handling can create memory exposure vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user data that might include passwords, personal information, or other confidential inputs. Attackers could leverage this weakness to conduct memory scraping attacks, where they systematically examine process memory to locate and extract sensitive text entries. The local nature of the attack means that exploitation requires physical access to the system or the ability to execute code as a local user, but the consequences remain significant for users who store sensitive information in browser forms. This vulnerability can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1005, which involves data from local system storage, and reflects the broader category of credential access attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Chrome version 67.0.3396.62 or later, which includes the necessary security patches to properly implement secure text entry modes. System administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of this update across all affected macOS systems, particularly in enterprise environments where sensitive data handling is common. Additional protective measures include implementing strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local execution, monitoring for suspicious process behavior, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential memory exposure vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent memory scraping techniques, while maintaining awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other browser implementations that might present comparable risks. The fix implemented by Google addresses the core issue by ensuring that sensitive text input fields properly utilize secure memory handling techniques that prevent unauthorized access to process memory contents.