CVE-2019-13723 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use after free in WebBluetooth in Google Chrome prior to 78.0.3904.108 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the WebBluetooth implementation within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 78.0.3904.108. The flaw exists within the browser's renderer process execution environment where memory management errors can occur when handling Bluetooth communication requests through web APIs. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free errors that occur when memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential for arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The technical exploitation scenario involves a remote attacker who has already compromised the renderer process through some initial attack vector such as a phishing page or malicious website. Once inside the renderer process, the attacker can craft a specially designed HTML page that triggers the use-after-free condition in the WebBluetooth component. This component handles Bluetooth device discovery and communication through web APIs, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or gain persistent access to systems. The heap corruption resulting from this flaw can potentially allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the compromised renderer process, which typically runs with the same user privileges as the browser itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser compromise as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for privilege escalation and persistent system access. Since the renderer process operates within the browser's security boundaries but still maintains access to system resources, successful exploitation could enable attackers to access local files, intercept network communications, or establish backdoor access to affected systems. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where users may browse untrusted websites or where browser-based attacks are a common vector for initial compromise. The risk is compounded by the fact that modern web applications increasingly rely on Bluetooth functionality for device integration, making this attack surface more prevalent in legitimate web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate browser updates to versions 78.0.3904.108 or later where the use-after-free has been addressed through proper memory management implementation. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious Bluetooth-related web requests and consider browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary web APIs when not required for business operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through browser-based attacks, specifically targeting the T1059.007 execution technique through web-based scripting and T1078 legitimate credentials for maintaining access. Security teams should also implement regular patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of browser security updates and consider sandboxing configurations that limit the impact of renderer process compromises. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in web browser components and highlights how seemingly minor flaws in web APIs can create significant security risks when combined with other attack vectors.