CVE-2019-5849 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Out of bounds read in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 75.0.3770.80 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 • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5849 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Skia graphics library component that forms part of Google Chrome's rendering engine. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 75.0.3770.80 and enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted HTML pages that can trigger memory access violations. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking within Skia's handling of graphical elements, specifically when processing certain image formats or rendering operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from process memory, which could include cryptographic keys, user data, or other confidential information stored in memory buffers. The out-of-bounds read occurs when the graphics library attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries during image processing operations, creating a potential information disclosure vector that can be exploited remotely through web browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Skia's graphics processing routines failing to properly validate input parameters when handling image data structures. When Chrome encounters a crafted HTML page containing malicious graphics elements, the Skia library processes these elements without adequate boundary checks, leading to memory access beyond intended buffer limits. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking, and can be classified as a memory safety issue within the context of the ATT&CK framework under the technique of privilege escalation through memory corruption. The flaw manifests when the graphics subsystem attempts to render or process images that contain malformed data structures or unexpected parameter values that cause the memory access to extend beyond allocated memory regions, potentially exposing sensitive data to attackers who can then extract this information through carefully constructed memory reads.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5849 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability creates a pathway for more sophisticated attacks including potential privilege escalation and full system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to extract process memory contents, which may contain session tokens, encryption keys, or other sensitive data that could be used to impersonate users or gain deeper system access. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that users do not need physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where web browsing is common. Organizations running affected Chrome versions face significant risk of data breaches, as the vulnerability can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites. The attack surface is broad since the flaw exists in the core rendering engine that processes virtually all web content, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit user browsers for information gathering or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5849 focus primarily on immediate Chrome updates to versions 75.0.3770.80 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds read vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all user devices receive updates promptly, particularly in environments where Chrome is the primary browser. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML content, deploying browser security extensions that enhance memory protection, and establishing monitoring systems to detect unusual memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and maintain regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other browser components or third-party libraries. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated browser versions to ensure compatibility with existing applications and systems, while also verifying that the patch effectively addresses the specific memory access violation in Skia's graphics processing routines.