CVE-2019-13750 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient data validation in SQLite in Google Chrome prior to 79.0.3945.79 allowed a remote attacker to bypass defense-in-depth measures via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13750 represents a critical weakness in Google Chrome's implementation of SQLite database functionality that existed prior to version 79.0.3945.79. This flaw stems from inadequate data validation mechanisms within the browser's SQLite integration, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent security controls that are typically in place to protect users from various attack vectors. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of database operations within Chrome's architecture, where insufficient input sanitization allows crafted payloads to exploit the system's trust in validated data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's SQLite engine failing to properly validate data integrity during database operations, particularly when processing crafted HTML content. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that contain specially formatted database queries or data structures that exploit the validation gaps in Chrome's SQLite implementation. This weakness operates at the intersection of database security and browser security, where the expectation that data processed through SQLite would be properly validated is violated. The flaw demonstrates a failure in defense-in-depth principles, where multiple security layers should have prevented unauthorized access or data manipulation, but instead provided a bypass mechanism for attackers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users of affected Chrome versions as it enables remote code execution capabilities through web-based attacks. The attack vector typically involves a malicious website or web application that loads a crafted HTML page designed to trigger the vulnerable SQLite processing path. When users visit such pages, the browser's SQLite engine processes the malicious data without proper validation, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or manipulate database contents. This represents a serious threat to user privacy and system integrity, as it can be exploited to access sensitive data, inject malicious content, or establish persistent access points within the browser environment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious data to bypass validation checks. This classification indicates that the flaw exists at the core of data processing validation mechanisms, where expected data formats and content are not properly verified before being processed. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability follows the TTPs outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Exploitation for Client Execution," where attackers leverage browser vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in the context of the user's browser session. Organizations and users must understand that this vulnerability represents a sophisticated attack surface that can be exploited without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter malicious content through normal browsing activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome browsers to versions 79.0.3945.79 or later, where Google has implemented proper data validation mechanisms within the SQLite integration. System administrators should ensure that all Chrome installations are updated promptly and that automatic update mechanisms are enabled to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious database-related requests, deploying content security policies that restrict database access from untrusted sources, and maintaining comprehensive monitoring of browser activity for signs of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing measures that limit the potential impact of successful attacks by isolating browser processes from critical system resources and data. Regular security assessments of browser configurations and network traffic analysis can help detect potential exploitation attempts before they result in successful breaches.