CVE-2024-6778 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/17/2024
Race in DevTools in Google Chrome prior to 126.0.6478.182 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: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical race condition within the Chrome DevTools functionality that existed in Google Chrome versions prior to 126.0.6478.182. The flaw specifically exploits the timing window between when a malicious extension is installed and when DevTools processes the extension's privileges, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate privileged pages through crafted extension code. The vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and code injection, with the Chromium security severity rating indicating its high-risk nature. This type of race condition vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through user interaction, specifically convincing a victim to install a malicious extension that then exploits the timing gap in the DevTools processing pipeline.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition between the extension installation process and the DevTools privilege validation mechanism. When a user installs a malicious extension, the extension's code can potentially execute before the DevTools system has properly validated the extension's privileges, allowing the attacker to inject arbitrary scripts or HTML into privileged Chrome DevTools pages. This occurs because the system does not properly synchronize the extension installation process with the DevTools privilege checking routines, creating a window where untrusted code can gain access to privileged contexts. The vulnerability is classified as a race condition under CWE-362, which specifically addresses concurrent execution issues where timing dependencies create security flaws. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince the user to install the malicious extension, making it particularly insidious as it leverages user trust and interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to gain access to privileged browser contexts that should normally be restricted to legitimate Chrome components and trusted extensions. Once successfully exploited, the malicious extension can inject scripts or HTML into DevTools pages, potentially enabling a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, credential theft, or further privilege escalation within the browser environment. The attack could be used to manipulate debugging tools, access sensitive user data, or even compromise the entire browser session. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1112, which covers the manipulation of application execution flows, and represents a significant threat to user privacy and system security. The ability to inject content into privileged pages creates opportunities for advanced persistent threats and makes the browser environment more susceptible to sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of Chrome to version 126.0.6478.182 or later, where the race condition has been resolved through proper synchronization of extension installation and DevTools privilege validation processes. Users should also implement strict extension management policies, avoiding installation of extensions from untrusted sources and regularly auditing installed extensions for suspicious behavior. Organizations should enforce browser security policies that restrict extension installation capabilities and monitor for unusual DevTools activity. The fix implemented by Google addresses the underlying race condition by ensuring proper sequencing between extension installation and privilege validation, preventing the timing window that allowed the injection attack. Security teams should also consider implementing browser isolation techniques and monitoring for unauthorized extension installations as part of their defensive strategies against similar timing-based vulnerabilities.