CVE-2023-4367 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2023
Insufficient policy enforcement in Extensions API in Google Chrome prior to 116.0.5845.96 allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious extension to bypass an enterprise policy via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-4367 represents a critical weakness in Google Chrome's Extensions API that undermines enterprise security policies through a sophisticated social engineering attack vector. This flaw existed in Chrome versions prior to 116.0.5845.96 and specifically targeted the insufficient enforcement of enterprise policies when users interacted with malicious web pages. The vulnerability operates through a carefully crafted HTML page that can exploit the extension installation process to bypass security controls that should normally prevent unauthorized extensions from being installed or executed within enterprise environments. The attack requires user interaction, specifically convincing a victim to install a malicious extension, but once successful, it allows the attacker to circumvent the enterprise policy enforcement mechanisms that are designed to restrict extension installation and functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a gap in Chrome's policy enforcement system where the Extensions API fails to properly validate or enforce enterprise restrictions when extensions are installed through web-based interfaces. This represents a failure in access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized modifications to browser extension policies, aligning with CWE-284 Access Control flaws that occur when systems fail to properly enforce access restrictions. The vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the browser and enterprise administrators who expect their policy configurations to be respected, particularly when users navigate to web pages that attempt to install extensions. Attackers can craft HTML pages that leverage legitimate browser extension installation APIs but manipulate the user experience to make the malicious extension appear as a trusted or necessary component, thereby bypassing the policy enforcement that should prevent such installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4367 extends beyond simple extension installation, as it allows attackers to potentially deploy persistent malware or surveillance tools within enterprise environments where users may have administrative privileges or access to sensitive resources. Enterprise organizations rely on Chrome's extension policies to prevent unauthorized access to company data, restrict browser functionality, and maintain security compliance. When this policy enforcement is bypassed, attackers gain the ability to install extensions that can monitor user activity, steal credentials, exfiltrate data, or perform other malicious activities without detection. The medium severity rating reflects the fact that while the vulnerability requires user interaction, it can be exploited through social engineering techniques that are increasingly sophisticated and effective in enterprise environments. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations using Chrome's enterprise policies to control browser extensions, as it undermines the fundamental security principle that enterprise administrators should have complete control over browser extension installations and configurations.
Organizations should immediately update to Chrome version 116.0.5845.96 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the patch addresses the core policy enforcement flaw in the Extensions API. Additionally, enterprises should implement enhanced monitoring of extension installations and user behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts, particularly when users visit suspicious websites or install extensions from untrusted sources. Security teams should also review and reinforce their existing enterprise policies to ensure that users are properly educated about the risks of installing extensions from untrusted sources and that multi-factor authentication and other security controls are properly implemented. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current browser versions and understanding how browser APIs can be exploited to bypass security controls, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1176 for Browser Extensions and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security tools that can detect and prevent malicious extension installations, as well as conducting regular security assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities in their browser security configurations and user access controls.