CVE-2022-0799 in Edge
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2022
Insufficient policy enforcement in Installer in Google Chrome on Windows prior to 99.0.4844.51 allowed a remote attacker to perform local privilege escalation via a crafted offline installer file.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's installer component on Windows systems, where inadequate policy enforcement creates an exploitable condition for local privilege escalation attacks. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the installer's policy implementation, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the installation process through carefully crafted offline installer files. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire system. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 99.0.4844.51 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in access control enforcement during the installation phase.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the installer's failure to properly validate file integrity and execution permissions when processing offline installer packages. This weakness creates an attack surface where maliciously constructed installer files can bypass standard security checks that would normally prevent privilege escalation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software installation security and access control mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to elevate their privileges without requiring user interaction or elevated permissions initially. The flaw essentially enables a downgrade attack vector where an attacker can manipulate the installation process to execute malicious code with system-level privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on Chrome installations, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers can use this technique to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish footholds for further lateral movement within networks. The impact extends beyond individual systems to potentially affect entire organizational infrastructures, especially when considering that Chrome is widely deployed across enterprise environments. This vulnerability particularly affects Windows platforms where the installer's privilege management is insufficiently robust, creating opportunities for sophisticated attackers to gain unauthorized system access.
The mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of Chrome version 99.0.4844.51 or later, which includes enhanced policy enforcement mechanisms and improved installer validation routines. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as restricting download permissions for installer files and monitoring installation activities for suspicious patterns. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized installer packages and ensure that all systems receive timely updates through automated patch management processes. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control flaws and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation through system binary manipulation. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated installations to ensure no regression in functionality while maintaining security posture against similar attack vectors.