CVE-2023-2459 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2023
Inappropriate implementation in Prompts in Google Chrome prior to 113.0.5672.63 allowed a remote attacker to bypass permission restrictions via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2459 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's permission handling mechanism within the prompts system. This issue affects versions prior to 113.0.5672.63 and stems from an inappropriate implementation that fails to properly validate user interactions with permission prompts. The flaw exists in the browser's core security architecture where the system does not adequately verify whether a user has explicitly interacted with a permission request before granting access to sensitive resources or APIs. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of user interface security and browser permission management, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the trust model that Chrome establishes between users and web applications.
The technical implementation flaw manifests when a crafted HTML page attempts to bypass the standard permission prompt flow by manipulating the timing and sequence of user interaction events. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that trigger permission requests in ways that circumvent Chrome's intended security controls, potentially allowing unauthorized access to device resources such as camera, microphone, location services, or file system access. This vulnerability specifically targets the browser's permission prompt system where the underlying code fails to properly distinguish between legitimate user interactions and automated script-triggered requests. The flaw demonstrates a weakness in Chrome's event handling and permission validation logic, where the system does not sufficiently validate that a user has actually seen and responded to a permission prompt before proceeding with access granting.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to user privacy and system security as it enables remote attackers to perform unauthorized actions without explicit user consent. The medium severity classification reflects the potential for abuse in various attack scenarios including phishing campaigns, drive-by downloads, or social engineering attacks where malicious actors can craft convincing web pages that trick users into inadvertently granting permissions. The impact extends beyond simple privacy violations to potential system compromise, as access to device resources can lead to data exfiltration, persistent surveillance, or further exploitation of the victim's system. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack tree model, where the bypass of permission prompts creates a critical entry point for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2459 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 113.0.5672.63 and later, which contain the necessary patches to correct the permission handling implementation. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including browser hardening policies, content security policies, and user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. The vulnerability's resolution addresses specific CWE categories related to improper input validation and security bypass mechanisms, aligning with established security frameworks that emphasize the importance of proper access control implementation. Network administrators should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that all user endpoints are running patched versions of Chrome to prevent exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves strengthening the validation logic for user interaction events and ensuring that permission prompts are properly tied to explicit user actions rather than automated sequences that could be manipulated by malicious code.