CVE-2023-5478 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Inappropriate implementation in Autofill in Google Chrome prior to 118.0.5993.70 allowed a remote attacker to leak cross-origin data via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5478 represents a security flaw in Google Chrome's Autofill implementation that existed prior to version 118.0.5993.70. This issue falls under the category of improper implementation within Chrome's browser functionality, specifically affecting how the browser handles data from different origins. The vulnerability is classified with a low severity rating by Chromium security standards, yet it presents significant privacy implications due to its potential for cross-origin data leakage.
The technical flaw stems from how Chrome's Autofill feature processes and handles data when interacting with web pages from different origins. When a malicious actor crafts a specific HTML page, they can exploit this improper implementation to access and potentially exfiltrate data that should be isolated between different domains or origins. This cross-origin data leakage occurs because the Autofill mechanism fails to properly enforce origin-based security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized access to information from other websites. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to bypass the same-origin policy that normally protects user data and prevents malicious websites from accessing content from other domains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it undermines the fundamental security model that browsers implement to protect users from cross-site scripting attacks and data exposure. When exploited, this flaw could enable attackers to gather sensitive information that users have previously entered into web forms, potentially including personal details, credentials, or other confidential data that should remain isolated between different websites. The low severity classification does not diminish the potential for abuse, as the vulnerability could be combined with other techniques to create more sophisticated attacks or could be exploited in conjunction with other browser vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5478 primarily involve updating to Chrome version 118.0.5993.70 or later, which includes patches addressing the improper implementation in the Autofill feature. Users should also maintain awareness of browser security updates and ensure their systems are running the latest versions to protect against similar vulnerabilities. Security professionals should monitor for similar issues in browser components and implement additional protective measures such as content security policies and strict origin enforcement mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and could potentially be leveraged as part of broader attack chains that follow ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious websites or T1071 for application layer protocol usage in data exfiltration activities.
The root cause of this issue demonstrates the complexity of implementing secure browser features that must balance user convenience with security requirements. Browser vendors must carefully consider how features like Autofill interact with the security model, particularly when dealing with user data that may be shared across multiple domains. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous security testing for browser components and the need for continuous monitoring of how different features interact with each other. Organizations should also consider implementing browser security policies and monitoring for suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires not only updating browser versions but also educating users about the importance of keeping their software current and understanding the potential risks associated with visiting untrusted websites.