CVE-2019-13725 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free in Bluetooth in Google Chrome prior to 79.0.3945.79 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13725 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in the Bluetooth implementation within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 79.0.3945.79. This issue arises from improper memory management during Bluetooth device handling operations, creating a scenario where freed memory locations can be accessed and potentially overwritten by malicious code. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of Bluetooth-related JavaScript APIs and Web Bluetooth specifications, which allow web pages to interact with nearby Bluetooth devices through the browser's interface.
The technical exploitation of this use-after-free vulnerability occurs when a malicious website loads a specially crafted HTML page that triggers Bluetooth device enumeration and connection processes. During these operations, the browser allocates memory for Bluetooth device objects and their associated data structures. When the browser subsequently frees this memory due to device disconnection or error handling, an attacker can manipulate the page to cause the freed memory to be reallocated and accessed before proper cleanup occurs. This memory corruption allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Chrome process, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 as a use-after-free condition, which represents a well-known class of memory safety issues that frequently lead to remote code execution exploits.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to users who browse the internet regularly, as the attack requires only a malicious webpage to be visited. The remote exploitation nature means that users do not need to interact with suspicious files or download malware, as the vulnerability can be triggered simply by loading a compromised website. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code on target systems, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, installing additional malware, or using the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks. The impact extends beyond individual user devices to enterprise environments where employees may unknowingly visit malicious websites, potentially compromising entire networks through a single vulnerable browser instance.
The remediation approach for CVE-2019-13725 involves updating Google Chrome to version 79.0.3945.79 or later, which includes memory management fixes and proper handling of Bluetooth device lifecycle events. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all browser installations are updated promptly. Additional mitigations include configuring browser security policies to restrict Bluetooth access, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls, and educating users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser security and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the executed code to establish persistence or escalate privileges within compromised systems. Security teams should also consider monitoring for suspicious Bluetooth-related API usage patterns in browser processes as part of their threat hunting activities.