CVE-2021-21212 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2021
Incorrect security UI in Network Config UI in Google Chrome on ChromeOS prior to 90.0.4430.72 allowed a remote attacker to potentially compromise WiFi connection security via a malicious WAP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-21212 represents a critical flaw in the Network Configuration User Interface of Google Chrome running on ChromeOS systems. This security weakness specifically affects versions prior to 90.0.4430.72 and exposes users to potential compromise of their wireless network connections through malicious Wi-Fi access points. The issue stems from improper validation and handling of wireless network configurations within the ChromeOS environment, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the security state of WiFi connections.
The technical flaw manifests in the Network Config UI component where ChromeOS fails to properly verify the authenticity and security status of wireless access points presented to users. When a malicious WAP attempts to present itself to a ChromeOS device, the system's security interface does not adequately distinguish between legitimate and compromised networks, potentially allowing attackers to exploit this gap in validation. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of user interface security and network protocol handling, where the visual representation of network security status becomes misleading or inaccurate.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations and individual users relying on ChromeOS devices for network connectivity. Attackers could potentially create rogue Wi-Fi networks that appear secure within the ChromeOS interface, leading users to connect to malicious access points without proper security awareness. The impact extends beyond simple data interception as it undermines the fundamental trust users place in their device's security warnings and network status indicators. This weakness could enable man-in-the-middle attacks, credential harvesting, and unauthorized access to corporate or personal networks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-602, which addresses Client-Server Configuration Issues, and demonstrates how user interface elements can become attack vectors when proper validation mechanisms are absent. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this flaw maps to T1566, representing the use of malicious Wi-Fi networks, and T1071, covering application layer protocols. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory system updates to ChromeOS versions 90.0.4430.72 or later, network monitoring to detect anomalous Wi-Fi behavior, and user education regarding the importance of verifying network security before connecting. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network access control measures and enhanced wireless security protocols to reduce the attack surface. The remediation process requires comprehensive testing to ensure that the updated security mechanisms do not introduce compatibility issues while maintaining the integrity of legitimate network connections.