CVE-2019-13751 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Uninitialized data in SQLite in Google Chrome prior to 79.0.3945.79 allowed a remote attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in the SQLite database engine integrated within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 79.0.3945.79. The issue stems from improper initialization of memory structures within the SQLite library that handles database operations for web applications. When processing maliciously crafted HTML content, the browser fails to properly initialize certain data structures before using them, potentially exposing uninitialized memory contents to attackers. This flaw falls under the category of CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of database processing and web browser security, demonstrating how low-level memory management issues can translate into significant security risks for end users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious HTML page that triggers specific database operations within Chrome's SQLite implementation. During these operations, the application uses uninitialized memory regions that may contain sensitive data remnants from previous operations, including potentially confidential information from other processes or memory segments. The attack vector leverages the browser's handling of web content that interacts with SQLite databases, which are commonly used for client-side storage in modern web applications. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter - PowerShell, though more accurately it aligns with T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1552.001: Unsecured Credentials - Credentials in Files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the uninitialized data exposure could potentially reveal sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, passwords, session tokens, or other confidential data that was previously stored in memory. Attackers could leverage this information to perform further attacks including session hijacking, credential theft, or privilege escalation within the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability affects all users of affected Chrome versions and represents a significant risk to web application security, particularly in environments where users browse untrusted websites or where web applications rely heavily on client-side database storage. Organizations with strict security requirements and those handling sensitive data are particularly vulnerable to exploitation of this flaw, as it provides attackers with a method to harvest confidential information from process memory without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate updating of Google Chrome to version 79.0.3945.79 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly initialize memory structures within the SQLite implementation. Security administrators should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block access to known malicious domains. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary database features, restricting access to local storage, and monitoring for suspicious database operations. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring proper initialization of all memory structures before data access occurs, thereby preventing the exposure of uninitialized memory contents. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper memory management in security-critical applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can have significant security implications. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar issues in other components of their software stack, particularly those involving database engines and memory management systems.