CVE-2024-7979 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/22/2024
Insufficient data validation in Installer in Google Chrome on Windows prior to 128.0.6613.84 allowed a local attacker to perform privilege escalation via a crafted symbolic link. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7979 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Google Chrome's installer component on Windows systems. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify the legitimacy of symbolic links during the installation process. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 128.0.6613.84 and specifically targets the Windows operating system platform where the installer executes with elevated privileges. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating malicious symbolic links that the installer incorrectly processes, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The flaw operates at the installer level where symbolic link resolution occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by local attackers who have minimal privileges but can influence the installation environment. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the security model of the operating system. The Chromium security severity rating of Medium indicates that while the vulnerability may not be immediately exploitable in all scenarios, the potential impact of successful exploitation can be severe. According to CWE guidelines, this vulnerability maps to CWE-59, which describes improper handling of symbolic links, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system-level vulnerabilities. The installer's failure to validate symbolic links properly creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the installation process and gain elevated access to the system. When a user runs the Chrome installer, it may encounter a malicious symbolic link that points to a location outside the intended installation scope, potentially allowing the attacker to redirect installation files or modify system components. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can enable attackers to install malicious software, modify system configurations, or establish persistence mechanisms. The Windows platform's permission model becomes compromised when such symbolic link handling fails, as the installer's elevated privileges can be misdirected through improper validation. This flaw represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where Chrome installations are common and where attackers may attempt to exploit the installer during routine updates or fresh installations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local access and the ability to manipulate the installation environment, but once successful, it can provide attackers with complete system control. Organizations should prioritize patching affected Chrome versions to prevent potential exploitation, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and data. The security implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of robust input validation in installer components and proper handling of file system operations during software installation processes.