CVE-2019-13713 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient policy enforcement in JavaScript in Google Chrome prior to 78.0.3904.70 allowed a remote attacker to leak cross-origin data via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13713 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's JavaScript implementation that existed prior to version 78.0.3904.70. This issue stems from insufficient policy enforcement mechanisms within the browser's JavaScript engine, specifically affecting how cross-origin data is handled and restricted. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web security boundaries, where proper isolation between different origins should prevent unauthorized data access. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit weaknesses in Chrome's security model by constructing malicious HTML pages that can bypass intended access controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves JavaScript-based attacks that leverage browser security mechanisms that should normally prevent cross-origin data leakage. When Chrome processes crafted HTML content, the insufficient policy enforcement allows malicious scripts to access and potentially exfiltrate data from different origins that should normally be restricted. This represents a breakdown in the same-origin policy enforcement that forms the foundation of web security architecture. The vulnerability specifically targets the JavaScript execution environment where cross-origin resource sharing and access controls should be strictly enforced, but instead permits unauthorized data access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, session hijacking, and sensitive information exposure across different web domains. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that exploit this flaw to access resources that should be isolated, creating opportunities for data exfiltration and privacy violations. The remote nature of this attack vector means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of web browsers and could enable attackers to access sensitive user data from multiple domains simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13713 require immediate browser updates to version 78.0.3904.70 or later where the policy enforcement mechanisms have been strengthened. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser security policies and ensure all users maintain updated browser versions. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as content filtering and web application firewalls to detect and block malicious content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution. Regular security assessments should include verification of browser versions and security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Users should be educated about the importance of keeping browsers updated and avoiding untrusted websites that could host malicious content designed to exploit such flaws in the JavaScript engine's security implementation.