CVE-2021-30580 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2021
Insufficient policy enforcement in Android intents in Google Chrome prior to 92.0.4515.107 allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious application to obtain potentially sensitive information via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-30580 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's handling of Android intents within the Android operating system. This issue stems from insufficient policy enforcement mechanisms that govern how Chrome processes intent requests when interacting with Android applications. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 92.0.4515.107, where the browser fails to adequately validate or restrict the scope of Android intents that can be triggered through web content. The flaw operates at the intersection of web browser functionality and mobile operating system permissions, creating a potential attack vector that leverages user interaction to execute malicious code or extract sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Chrome's intent handling system which allows web pages to request specific actions from the Android system such as opening applications, sharing content, or accessing device features. When a malicious HTML page is loaded, it can craft intent requests that bypass normal Android security boundaries. These crafted intents can potentially access sensitive information or trigger applications that the user has installed, effectively extending the attack surface beyond the typical web browser sandbox. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it a prime candidate for phishing attacks or drive-by downloads.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for users who browse the internet with Chrome on Android devices. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting HTML pages that, when visited, trigger Android intents to access sensitive data such as contacts, location information, or other personal data stored on the device. The attack chain typically involves social engineering to convince users to visit malicious websites, followed by automatic execution of intent-based attacks that bypass normal Android permission models. This vulnerability essentially undermines the security model that separates web browsing from native application access, creating a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges or extract information without explicit user consent.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2021-30580 involves immediate upgrading to Chrome version 92.0.4515.107 or later, which includes enhanced intent validation and policy enforcement mechanisms. Additionally, users should maintain updated Android system versions and regularly review application permissions to minimize potential exploitation risks. Security organizations should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious intent-based traffic patterns and consider deploying web application firewalls that can filter potentially malicious intent requests. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures in software security, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, particularly in the context of Android intent exploitation. The remediation process also requires organizations to conduct security assessments of their mobile browsing practices and implement user education programs to recognize and avoid potentially malicious web content that could exploit this class of vulnerability.