CVE-2019-13747 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Uninitialized data in rendering in Google Chrome on Android 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 • 03/09/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical heap corruption issue affecting Google Chrome on Android versions prior to 79.0.3945.79, classified under CWE-457 as use of uninitialized memory. The flaw occurs during the HTML rendering process where uninitialized data is improperly handled, creating a potential attack vector for remote exploitation. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages that trigger this vulnerability when rendered by the browser, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability stems from insufficient memory initialization during the rendering pipeline, specifically in how Chrome processes certain HTML elements and their associated data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's rendering engine encountering uninitialized memory segments while processing crafted HTML content. When Chrome attempts to render malicious pages containing specific combinations of HTML elements, JavaScript, or CSS properties, the uninitialized data can contain residual values from previous memory operations. This uninitialized memory corruption can be exploited to manipulate memory layout, potentially leading to heap spraying or controlled memory corruption patterns that attackers can leverage for privilege escalation or code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where proper initialization of memory segments was not enforced during the rendering process.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-13747 extends beyond simple browser exploitation, as it represents a remote code execution vulnerability that can be delivered through standard web browsing activities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through phishing campaigns, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the malicious page. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Chrome's widespread use on Android devices, where the exploitation could lead to complete device compromise. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling process injection through memory corruption, and T1059 by potentially allowing command execution through browser-based attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome to version 79.0.3945.79 or later, as this release contains the necessary memory initialization fixes. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including sandboxing, content security policies, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict browser security policies, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring proper initialization of memory segments during HTML rendering operations, preventing the leakage of uninitialized data that could be exploited by malicious actors. Security teams should prioritize this patch across all Android devices running affected Chrome versions, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile device management policies can enforce automatic updates.