CVE-2023-5485 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 bypass autofill restrictions via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5485 resides within Google Chrome's Autofill implementation and represents a security flaw that could potentially allow remote attackers to circumvent intended restrictions. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 118.0.5993.70 and is categorized as a low severity vulnerability by Chromium security standards. The flaw specifically targets the browser's autofill functionality which is designed to streamline user experience by automatically filling forms with previously entered data. However, this particular implementation contains a weakness that could be exploited to bypass the normal security boundaries that govern how autofill data is handled and presented.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves an inappropriate implementation within the browser's autofill system that fails to properly validate or restrict certain HTML page elements. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages that exploit this flaw to manipulate the autofill behavior in ways that were not intended by the developers. The vulnerability essentially allows unauthorized access to autofill functionality that should otherwise be restricted based on security policies or user preferences. This bypass mechanism operates through specific interactions between the HTML page elements and Chrome's autofill engine, creating a pathway for attackers to access or manipulate data that should remain protected.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gather sensitive information that users have stored in their browser's autofill database. While the severity is classified as low, the potential for data exposure remains significant, particularly when considering that autofill systems often store personal information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and potentially login credentials. The remote nature of the attack means that users could be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, without requiring any additional interaction beyond normal browsing activities. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning from a user privacy standpoint.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and could potentially be leveraged as part of broader attack vectors within the ATT&CK framework. Specifically, it relates to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through browser-based attacks. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. The remediation approach focuses on updating to Chrome version 118.0.5993.70 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the improper implementation. Security teams should prioritize this update as part of their regular patch management processes to ensure complete protection against potential exploitation attempts.