CVE-2021-30565 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2021
Out of bounds write in Tab Groups in Google Chrome on Linux and ChromeOS prior to 92.0.4515.107 allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious extension to perform an out of bounds memory write via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical memory safety issue within the tab groups functionality of google chrome browsers running on linux and chromeos operating systems. The flaw manifests as an out of bounds write condition that occurs when processing maliciously crafted html content, allowing attackers to manipulate memory regions beyond their intended boundaries. The vulnerability specifically affects chrome versions prior to 92.0.4515.107, making it a targeted risk for users running older browser versions. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince users to install a malicious extension, which then serves as a delivery mechanism for the crafted html page that triggers the memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the tab groups component of chrome's browser architecture. When chrome processes tab group related operations, it fails to validate array indices or memory allocation boundaries properly, leading to a situation where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category of CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which specifically addresses memory corruption issues where programs write data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially overwrite critical data structures, function pointers, or other memory locations that could lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it creates a potential pathway for privilege escalation and persistent access within affected systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the chrome browser process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The requirement for a malicious extension installation adds a layer of social engineering complexity to the attack, but once installed, the extension can deliver the crafted html payload that triggers the memory corruption. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under techniques involving memory corruption exploits and browser-based attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through browser updates to version 92.0.4515.107 or later. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all chrome installations are updated promptly, as the vulnerability represents a significant risk to user security. Additionally, security teams should monitor for suspicious extension installations and implement browser security policies that restrict extension installation from untrusted sources. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include web application firewalls, content security policies, and user education about the risks of installing unknown browser extensions. Network monitoring should also be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual memory access patterns or malicious content delivery.