CVE-2019-13688 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use after free in Blink in Google Chrome prior to 77.0.3865.90 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13688 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Blink rendering engine of Google Chrome, affecting versions prior to 77.0.3865.90. This flaw resides in the browser's core component responsible for processing and rendering web content, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through maliciously crafted web pages without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the compromised site. The issue stems from improper memory management where a freed memory block is accessed after the allocation has been released, creating a potential vector for arbitrary code execution. Such vulnerabilities are classified under CWE-416 as use-after-free conditions, which are among the most prevalent and dangerous classes of memory corruption flaws in modern software systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious web page triggers specific conditions within the Blink engine's memory management routines, leading to heap corruption that can be leveraged by remote attackers. When the browser processes crafted HTML content, the rendering engine fails to properly track object lifecycles, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory pointers and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process. This type of vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the initial exploitation can lead to further compromise of the victim's system. The heap corruption aspect of this flaw makes it particularly challenging to detect and exploit reliably, as attackers must carefully craft payloads that can successfully manipulate the memory layout and overcome modern exploit mitigations.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-13688 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a significant threat to browser security and user privacy. Since Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers globally, the potential attack surface for this vulnerability is enormous, affecting millions of users who may encounter malicious content through various attack vectors including phishing sites, compromised advertisements, or malicious email attachments. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern browser security architectures where a flaw in the rendering engine can compromise the entire security model of the application. Organizations and individuals must understand that this vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13688 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates, as Google released version 77.0.3865.90 to address the specific memory management issues within Blink. System administrators should prioritize patch management to ensure all Chrome installations are updated to the latest secure versions, while also implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of browser hardening techniques and exploit mitigation strategies including address space layout randomization, data execution prevention, and sandboxing mechanisms. Organizations should consider implementing browser security policies that restrict potentially dangerous web content and monitor for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar memory corruption flaws within their browser environments, as these types of vulnerabilities often indicate broader architectural weaknesses that may require more comprehensive security architecture reviews.