CVE-2019-13734 in Communications Cloud Native Core Network Repository Function
Summary
by MITRE
Out of bounds write in SQLite in Google Chrome prior to 79.0.3945.79 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2019-13734 represents a critical heap corruption issue within SQLite database engine implementation in Google Chrome versions prior to 79.0.3945.79. This out-of-bounds write flaw occurs when Chrome processes crafted HTML pages that contain maliciously constructed database operations, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the SQLite library that Chrome embeds for handling local database operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing malicious web content that triggers improper memory handling during database query processing, leading to unauthorized memory modification.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the SQLite database engine's handling of malformed data structures within web pages. When Chrome renders HTML content containing crafted database operations, the underlying SQLite implementation fails to properly validate array bounds during memory allocation for database result sets. This allows attackers to write data beyond allocated memory regions, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations with controlled values. The flaw manifests specifically during database query execution where the engine attempts to store results in memory buffers without adequate boundary checks, creating opportunities for heap corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to Chrome users as it enables remote attackers to execute code on affected systems without user interaction. The attack surface is broad since any web page containing malicious database operations can trigger the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The heap corruption can lead to various attack vectors including privilege escalation, information disclosure, or system compromise depending on the execution environment and memory layout. Security researchers have classified this issue as a high-severity vulnerability due to its remote exploitability and potential for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13734 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to Chrome version 79.0.3945.79 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious database operations, enabling sandboxing features within Chrome, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications that interact with SQLite databases. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write classification and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for execution of malicious payloads. Network administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through anomalous database query patterns and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.