CVE-2019-13756 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect security UI in printing in Google Chrome prior to 79.0.3945.79 allowed a remote attacker to perform domain spoofing via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13756 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's printing user interface that existed prior to version 79.0.3945.79. This issue falls under the category of user interface security weaknesses and specifically impacts the browser's handling of print dialogs and their associated security indicators. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate the visual presentation of print dialogs, creating misleading information that could deceive users into believing they are interacting with legitimate system interfaces. The flaw resides in how Chrome renders security-related elements within the printing context, particularly affecting the display of domain information and security status indicators during print operations.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious HTML pages that can manipulate the print dialog interface to display false domain information or security warnings. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create convincing spoofing scenarios where the print dialog shows a different domain or security status than what is actually present in the browser's main interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of print-related UI elements, allowing crafted content to override or manipulate the display of security indicators. This type of attack is particularly dangerous because it targets the user's trust in the browser's security warnings and interface elements, which are fundamental to user security awareness. The flaw is classified as a UI redressing or UI spoofing attack pattern that aligns with common attack techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the category of privilege escalation through user interface manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-13756 extends beyond simple deception, as it can enable more sophisticated phishing and social engineering attacks. When users print pages from malicious websites, they may be misled into believing they are printing content from a trusted domain, potentially causing them to share sensitive information or perform actions based on the false security context. This vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on print functions for documentation and verification purposes, as the printed output may contain misleading domain information that could be used to justify fraudulent activities. The risk is amplified in enterprise environments where users may print sensitive documents and expect the print dialog to accurately reflect the security context of their current browsing session. The vulnerability can be exploited across different operating systems and browser configurations, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on Chrome as their primary browser.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13756 primarily involve updating to Google Chrome version 79.0.3945.79 or later, which includes patches addressing the printing UI security issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all users maintain current versions with security patches. Additional protective measures include user education about the importance of verifying domain information in print dialogs and implementing network-level monitoring to detect suspicious print activities. Security teams should also consider deploying browser security extensions or configurations that enhance print dialog security. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and demonstrates how seemingly minor UI elements can present significant security risks. Organizations should regularly audit their browser security configurations and ensure that automatic update mechanisms are functioning properly to protect against similar vulnerabilities that may arise in the future. This case study emphasizes the need for continuous security monitoring and the importance of addressing UI security concerns that may not be immediately apparent but can have substantial impact on user trust and security posture.