CVE-2019-13748 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient policy enforcement in developer tools in Google Chrome prior to 79.0.3945.79 allowed a local attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13748 represents a critical weakness in Google Chrome's security architecture that existed in versions prior to 79.0.3945.79. This flaw stems from insufficient policy enforcement within the browser's developer tools component, creating a pathway for local attackers to extract sensitive data from process memory. The issue specifically targets the memory management and access control mechanisms that govern how developer tools interact with browser processes, exposing a fundamental gap in Chrome's security model that could be exploited without user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of memory access permissions within Chrome's developer tools framework. When a crafted HTML page is loaded, it can trigger a sequence of memory operations that bypass normal security boundaries established by the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. This allows malicious code to access memory segments that should be restricted to specific processes or user contexts. The flaw operates at the intersection of privilege escalation and information disclosure, leveraging the trust placed in developer tools to access data that would normally be protected. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which specifically addresses insufficient enforcement of access control policies in software systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-13748 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive data that could include user credentials, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in browser memory. Local attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring network connectivity or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where attackers have physical access to target systems. The attack vector through crafted HTML pages means that even users who primarily browse the web could be compromised through malicious websites or phishing attempts that load the exploit. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code that can extract information from memory.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in Chrome's security model where developer tools, intended for legitimate debugging purposes, become a vector for unauthorized memory access. This flaw highlights the importance of maintaining strict boundaries between different security contexts within browser applications and underscores the risks associated with overly permissive access controls in development tools. The vulnerability's resolution required Google to implement stronger policy enforcement mechanisms that prevent unauthorized access to process memory through developer tools, particularly in scenarios where malicious HTML content could trigger these access patterns. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where local privilege escalation risks are elevated. The fix implemented by Google involved tightening access controls and memory management policies within the browser's developer tools component, ensuring that memory access operations are properly validated against established security boundaries.