CVE-2023-7261 in Omaha
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2024
Inappropriate implementation in Google Updator prior to 1.3.36.351 in Google Chrome allowed a local attacker to perform privilege escalation via a malicious file. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7261 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Google Updator, a component of Google Chrome that handles software updates for the browser and associated applications. This vulnerability existed in versions prior to 1.3.36.351 and specifically targeted the insecure handling of file operations during the update process, creating a pathway for local attackers to elevate their system privileges. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the update mechanism's validation and execution protocols, where malicious file manipulation could potentially lead to unauthorized system access and control.
The technical implementation error stems from inadequate input validation and privilege separation within the Updator component, which is responsible for managing Chrome's update lifecycle. When the update process executes, it fails to properly verify the integrity and authenticity of files being processed, allowing a local attacker to craft malicious files that can be executed with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-264 category of Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls, specifically manifesting as inadequate privilege management during file operations. The flaw operates at the system level where the update process typically runs with elevated privileges, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the insufficient validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows local attackers to perform privilege escalation without requiring remote access or complex exploitation techniques. An attacker with low-privilege user access could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain administrative privileges on the affected system. This creates a substantial security risk for users who may inadvertently download or encounter malicious files that trigger the vulnerable update process. The vulnerability affects systems running affected versions of Google Chrome and could be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users share systems or where automated update processes are enabled.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-7261 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates to version 1.3.36.351 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the privilege escalation vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the update promptly. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting write permissions for update-related directories and monitoring for unusual file creation patterns in update processes. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to gain system privileges, and organizations should consider implementing defensive measures such as application whitelisting and process monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems that may still be running vulnerable versions of the software, ensuring complete remediation across all endpoints.