CVE-2019-13767 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use after free in media picker in Google Chrome prior to 79.0.3945.88 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13767 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Google Chrome's media picker functionality, affecting versions prior to 79.0.3945.88. This flaw resides in the browser's handling of media selection components and demonstrates how seemingly isolated functionality can become a gateway for sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability specifically impacts the renderer process, which is a fundamental component responsible for displaying web content and executing JavaScript within the browser environment.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability occurs when the media picker component fails to properly manage memory references after an object has been freed from memory. When a crafted HTML page is loaded, the malicious code can manipulate the media picker's memory management routines to cause a situation where freed memory locations are accessed after the original object has been deallocated. This memory corruption scenario creates opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised renderer process. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates within the browser's rendering context, where attackers can leverage the rich set of APIs available to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious payloads.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to escalate privileges from a compromised renderer process to potentially full system compromise. The attack vector requires only a malicious webpage that can be delivered through phishing campaigns, drive-by downloads, or compromised websites. The exploitation chain typically involves crafting HTML content that triggers the media picker functionality while simultaneously manipulating memory allocation patterns to create a controlled use-after-free scenario. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and demonstrates how improper memory management can create persistent security risks. The attack surface extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and information disclosure scenarios.
The impact of CVE-2019-13767 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as well as T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations running affected Chrome versions face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction once a malicious page is visited. The remediation strategy requires immediate patching to version 79.0.3945.88 or later, which includes memory management improvements and proper object lifecycle handling. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as sandboxing, memory protection mechanisms, and regular security updates should be implemented. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management in browser components and demonstrates how the complexity of modern web browsers creates numerous potential attack surfaces that require continuous security assessment and monitoring.