CVE-2019-13693 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use after free in IndexedDB in Google Chrome prior to 77.0.3865.120 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-13693 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome's IndexedDB implementation that existed in versions prior to 77.0.3865.120. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed. The flaw manifests within the browser's indexed database functionality that allows web applications to store and retrieve data locally within the user's browser environment.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs through a remote code execution attack vector where an attacker who has already compromised the renderer process can leverage this use-after-free condition to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities. When a malicious HTML page is loaded, the IndexedDB implementation fails to properly manage memory references, creating a scenario where freed memory can be accessed and manipulated by the attacker. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how memory management flaws in browser components can be exploited to escalate privileges and execute malicious code within the context of the compromised renderer process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring additional privilege escalation. The renderer process compromise is often achieved through other initial attack vectors such as phishing or drive-by downloads, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be used to establish persistent access or escalate to system-level privileges. The vulnerability affects all versions of Google Chrome prior to 77.0.3865.120 and represents a critical risk for organizations that have not yet updated their browser installations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the attack technique T1059.001 from the MITRE ATT&CK framework which covers command and script interpreter execution. The use-after-free condition creates an opportunity for attackers to inject and execute malicious code through the browser's JavaScript engine. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser security and the potential for exploitation when memory safety mechanisms fail. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions and implement additional security controls such as sandboxing, content security policies, and regular browser updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the ongoing need for robust memory safety practices and regular security assessments of browser components to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.