CVE-2022-1499 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2022
Inappropriate implementation in WebAuthentication in Google Chrome prior to 101.0.4951.41 allowed a remote attacker to bypass same origin policy via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's web authentication implementation that existed prior to version 101.0.4951.41. The issue stems from an inadequate enforcement of the same origin policy, which is a fundamental security mechanism designed to prevent unauthorized access between different web origins. The vulnerability specifically affects the WebAuthentication API, which is used by websites to authenticate users through various methods including biometric authentication and security keys. When exploited, this flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious HTML pages that can bypass the browser's origin-based security restrictions.
The technical implementation error manifests in how Chrome handles cross-origin requests within the WebAuthentication framework. Normally, the same origin policy prevents scripts from one origin from accessing resources or data from another origin without proper authorization. However, the vulnerability in this case allows malicious actors to construct HTML pages that can manipulate the authentication flow in ways that circumvent these protections. This represents a direct violation of security principle number one in web application security where origin isolation is paramount for protecting user data and preventing unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that web authentication systems rely upon. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to perform cross-origin authentication attacks, where they might gain unauthorized access to user accounts or sensitive authentication data from different domains. This flaw particularly affects scenarios where users are authenticated through security keys or biometric methods, as the vulnerability could allow attackers to intercept or manipulate the authentication process without proper authorization. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only a crafted HTML page, making it easily deployable through phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which deals with inadequate access control mechanisms, and represents a specific implementation flaw in Chrome's security architecture. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage browser security weaknesses to gain unauthorized access. Organizations should immediately update their Chrome installations to version 101.0.4951.41 or later, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass security controls that protect user authentication data and potentially lead to account takeover scenarios. Security teams should also monitor for any suspicious authentication-related activities and implement additional network-level protections while awaiting patch deployment.
The broader implications highlight the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser versions in enterprise environments, as web browsers serve as the primary interface between users and the internet. This vulnerability demonstrates that even well-established security mechanisms can contain implementation flaws that expose users to significant risks. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for authentication-related network traffic and user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires not only patching the browser but also educating users about the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping all software components updated.