CVE-2022-2479 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2022
Insufficient validation of untrusted input in File in Google Chrome on Android prior to 103.0.5060.134 allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious app to obtain potentially sensitive information from internal file directories via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome for Android that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms when processing untrusted data. The issue specifically affects versions prior to 103.0.5060.134 and demonstrates how seemingly benign web content can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of insufficient input validation, which is classified as CWE-20 by the Common Weakness Enumeration standard, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture.
The technical exploitation occurs through a maliciously crafted HTML page that leverages the browser's failure to properly validate file paths and user inputs. When a user visits such a page, the browser's insufficient validation allows an attacker to manipulate file system access requests, potentially enabling them to read files from internal directories that should normally be protected. This type of vulnerability represents a privilege escalation vector where an attacker can bypass normal security boundaries that typically protect sensitive system information from unauthorized access. The attack requires user interaction through a malicious app installation, which aligns with the attack pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker with access to this vulnerability could potentially gather sensitive user data, system configuration information, or other confidential files stored within the device's file system. The Android platform's security model relies heavily on proper input validation and sandboxing mechanisms that are compromised by this flaw. The vulnerability particularly affects mobile environments where users may be less cautious about installing applications, making it more dangerous in real-world scenarios. The attack vector through malicious app installation represents a social engineering component that leverages user trust to establish the initial foothold for information extraction.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to the secure 103.0.5060.134 release or later, as this addresses the core validation flaw in the browser's input handling mechanisms. System administrators and security teams should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and validation in mobile browser environments, where the attack surface is expanded by the integration of web content with native system functions. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and user education programs to reduce the risk of malicious app installation, which serves as a prerequisite for exploitation in this particular vulnerability scenario.