CVE-2023-4077 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2023
Insufficient data validation in Extensions in Google Chrome prior to 115.0.5790.170 allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious extension to inject scripts or HTML into a privileged page via a crafted Chrome Extension. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2023
This vulnerability resides in the extension management system of google chrome browsers prior to version 115.0.5790.170, representing a critical weakness in the browser's security architecture that could be exploited through malicious extensions. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the extension framework, specifically in how chrome handles data from third-party extensions that are installed by users. when an attacker successfully convinces a victim to install a crafted malicious extension, the insufficient validation allows for arbitrary script injection and html injection into privileged browser pages. this vulnerability is categorized under cwe-20 as "improper input validation" which directly impacts the integrity of chrome's extension ecosystem and the security boundaries between user-installed extensions and privileged browser interfaces. the chromium security severity rating of medium indicates the potential for significant impact given the privileged nature of the affected pages and the ease with which a user could be convinced to install malicious extensions through social engineering or other attack vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of extension metadata or content scripts within a malicious extension package. when chrome processes the extension installation, the validation checks fail to properly sanitize or verify the extension's content, allowing attackers to inject malicious javascript or html code that gets executed within the context of privileged chrome pages. these pages typically include chrome's internal interfaces such as the extension management dashboard, settings pages, or other administrative interfaces where extensions should not be able to inject arbitrary code. the attack leverages the trust model inherent in chrome's extension system where legitimate extensions are granted elevated privileges, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be used to escalate privileges or access sensitive user data. this technique aligns with attack patterns described in the attack tree framework where attackers exploit trust relationships within browser security models to bypass protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection to potentially enable full browser compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to user browsing data, cookies, local storage, and potentially sensitive information stored within chrome's privileged contexts. the vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the malicious extension remains installed, allowing for ongoing surveillance or data theft. given that chrome extensions are frequently installed by users and often granted broad permissions, this vulnerability could be exploited at scale through phishing campaigns or supply chain attacks. the impact is particularly concerning because it bypasses traditional browser security boundaries and could allow attackers to manipulate chrome's internal state, potentially affecting other extensions or the browser's core functionality. this aligns with the broader concept of privilege escalation attacks in cybersecurity where attackers seek to move from a low-privilege position to a higher-privilege one within a system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate browser updates to version 115.0.5790.170 or later, which includes the necessary validation fixes to prevent the injection attacks. users should also exercise extreme caution when installing extensions, verifying the source and permissions requested by extensions before installation. administrators should implement extension whitelisting policies and regularly audit installed extensions to identify potentially malicious installations. the vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in security-critical systems and demonstrates the need for robust sanitization of all user-provided content within privileged contexts. organizations should also consider implementing browser security policies that restrict extension installation capabilities and monitor for suspicious extension behavior. from a compliance perspective, this vulnerability could impact organizations following security frameworks such as nist 800-53 or iso 27001, where proper input validation and privilege management are required controls. the incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and the need for continuous security monitoring of browser extension ecosystems, as these components represent significant attack surfaces that require ongoing vigilance and proactive security measures.