CVE-2019-13755 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient policy enforcement in extensions in Google Chrome prior to 79.0.3945.79 allowed a remote attacker to disable extensions via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13755 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's extension management system that persisted through versions prior to 79.0.3945.79. This weakness stems from inadequate policy enforcement mechanisms that govern how browser extensions interact with user interfaces and system resources. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser security architecture and extension sandboxing principles, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate extension states through seemingly benign web content. The flaw specifically targets Chrome's extension disablement functionality, which should normally be restricted to legitimate administrative operations or user consent. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious HTML pages that leverage browser APIs or DOM manipulation techniques to trigger extension disabling actions without proper authorization. This represents a fundamental breakdown in Chrome's security model where user interface elements intended to protect extension integrity can be bypassed through carefully constructed web content. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in Chrome's privilege separation mechanisms and highlights the complexity of maintaining security boundaries between trusted browser components and potentially malicious web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves exploiting Chrome's extension management APIs through crafted HTML content that can interact with extension disablement features. Attackers typically construct malicious web pages containing specific JavaScript code or HTML elements that can trigger extension state changes through browser APIs that should normally be restricted. The flaw occurs when Chrome's extension policy enforcement fails to properly validate or restrict access to extension management functions from untrusted web contexts. This allows attackers to programmatically disable extensions by manipulating browser interfaces or leveraging timing attacks that exploit race conditions in extension state management. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the user-facing layer of browser security, where legitimate web content should not be able to directly influence core browser extension functionality. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a privilege escalation issue within Chrome's extension subsystem. The attack vector typically involves social engineering elements where users are诱导 to visit malicious websites that automatically trigger the extension disabling mechanism through embedded scripts or malicious iframe content.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-13755 extends beyond simple extension disablement to potentially compromise broader browser security posture and user privacy. When extensions are disabled, users may lose access to critical security tools such as ad blockers, password managers, or security scanners that rely on extension functionality. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions and devices, particularly affecting users who rely heavily on browser extensions for security protection. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where extension-based security controls are commonly deployed. Organizations may experience reduced security coverage as malicious actors systematically disable security extensions, potentially leaving users vulnerable to phishing attacks, malware infections, or other cyber threats. The vulnerability also impacts Chrome's overall security architecture by demonstrating potential weaknesses in how browser vendors implement extension isolation and access control mechanisms. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1176 (Browser Extensions) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables attackers to manipulate browser components and potentially establish persistence through compromised extension states.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13755 require immediate browser updates to versions 79.0.3945.79 or later where Google has implemented proper policy enforcement mechanisms. Users should ensure their Chrome installations are always up-to-date with the latest security patches, as this vulnerability represents a known exploit that has been addressed in subsequent releases. Security administrators should implement browser hardening policies that restrict extension installation and management capabilities, particularly in enterprise environments where automated patch management is critical. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to verify that browser extensions are properly configured and that no unauthorized modifications have occurred. Network administrators can implement web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains that may host exploit content, though this approach is not foolproof given the dynamic nature of web-based attacks. Users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of maintaining updated browser software. The vulnerability highlights the importance of layered security approaches where browser updates serve as the primary defense mechanism, supplemented by network monitoring and user awareness training. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing extension management policies that limit the scope of extensions that can be installed or modified by users, reducing the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits should verify that extension disablement functions are properly restricted and that no unauthorized access paths exist within the browser's extension management subsystem.