CVE-2019-13710 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient validation of untrusted input in downloads in Google Chrome prior to 78.0.3904.70 allowed a remote attacker to bypass download restrictions via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13710 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's download handling mechanism that existed prior to version 78.0.3904.70. This issue stems from inadequate validation of untrusted input during the download process, creating a pathway for remote attackers to circumvent established security restrictions. The flaw specifically affects the browser's ability to properly verify and sanitize user-supplied data during download operations, potentially allowing malicious actors to execute unauthorized downloads or manipulate download behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's insufficient sanitization of HTML content that triggers download actions. When users encounter a crafted HTML page, the malicious code can manipulate the download process by exploiting gaps in input validation. This allows attackers to bypass the normal download restrictions that Chrome typically enforces, potentially leading to unauthorized file transfers or execution of malicious payloads. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web content rendering and download management, where untrusted input from web pages is not adequately filtered before being processed by the download subsystem. This weakness aligns with CWE-20, which describes insufficient input validation, and represents a classic example of how improper sanitization can lead to privilege escalation or unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple download bypassing, as it can enable more sophisticated attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to force downloads of malicious executables, scripts, or other harmful content that would normally be blocked by Chrome's security policies. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where download restrictions are implemented to prevent malware infiltration or data exfiltration. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that appear legitimate while silently executing unauthorized downloads, potentially compromising user systems and network security. The vulnerability also affects user trust in the browser's security model, as it demonstrates that even well-established security controls can be circumvented through careful exploitation of input validation gaps.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to Chrome version 78.0.3904.70 or later, which includes patches addressing this input validation weakness. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for suspicious download activities and consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy should also include user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of maintaining updated browser software. Security teams should review existing download policies and consider implementing additional layers of protection such as application whitelisting or enhanced browser security configurations. This vulnerability underscores the importance of continuous security testing and validation of input handling mechanisms, particularly in browser environments where user interaction with untrusted content is common. The incident also highlights the necessity of following security best practices outlined in frameworks such as the ATT&CK matrix, where techniques related to privilege escalation and execution through browser-based attacks are categorized and addressed through proper input validation and access control measures.