CVE-2019-13720 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use after free in WebAudio in Google Chrome prior to 78.0.3904.87 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13720 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in the WebAudio component of Google Chrome browsers. This issue affects versions prior to 78.0.3904.87 and demonstrates a classic memory safety vulnerability that can be exploited remotely by attackers. The flaw occurs within the browser's audio processing subsystem, specifically when handling crafted HTML content that triggers improper memory management during audio object lifecycle operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation practices within the WebAudio API implementation. When a web page constructs audio nodes and subsequently releases them from memory, the browser fails to properly validate that these objects are not subsequently referenced. This creates a window where freed memory can be accessed or overwritten, leading to potential heap corruption. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software systems. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious HTML pages that manipulate audio node references in ways that cause the browser to access freed memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser instability, as it provides attackers with a potential path to achieve remote code execution on affected systems. When exploited successfully, the heap corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory structures, potentially allowing an attacker to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a significant threat in modern attack scenarios where browsers serve as primary attack vectors due to their extensive capabilities and frequent user interaction. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of web shells and browser-based exploitation techniques. The attack surface is particularly concerning because WebAudio functionality is commonly used in web applications, making the exploitation vector highly accessible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13720 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 78.0.3904.87 and later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML content. Browser hardening measures including sandboxing and strict content security policies should be enforced to minimize potential exploitation impact. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to suspicious audio processing activities and implement regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar memory safety issues in other browser components. The fix implemented by Google addresses the root cause by ensuring proper reference counting and memory deallocation mechanisms within the WebAudio API, preventing the access of freed memory locations during audio node lifecycle operations.