CVE-2024-9963 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2024
Insufficient data validation in Downloads in Google Chrome prior to 130.0.6723.58 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI gestures to perform UI spoofing via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9963 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome's download handling mechanism that could be exploited through UI spoofing techniques. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 130.0.6723.58 and demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in browser security architectures. The vulnerability stems from insufficient data validation during the download process, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate user interactions to deceive victims into performing unintended actions. The flaw specifically targets the browser's user interface components that manage download operations, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate browser functionality to execute deceptive user experience manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the gap between expected user behavior and actual UI interaction handling within Chrome's download subsystem. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages that, when loaded in the browser, create deceptive download prompts or interfaces that appear legitimate to users. The attack requires user engagement through specific UI gestures, meaning that while the initial page load is sufficient to establish the malicious context, the actual exploitation depends on user interaction with the manipulated interface elements. This design choice makes the vulnerability somewhat less automated compared to fully autonomous exploits but still poses significant risk as it relies on social engineering elements that can be highly effective in real-world scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-9963 extends beyond simple browser manipulation to potentially enable more serious security incidents such as credential theft, malware installation, or financial fraud. When users are deceived into interacting with spoofed download interfaces, they may unknowingly download malicious files or provide sensitive information to attackers. The medium severity classification according to Chromium security standards reflects the balance between the attack complexity required and the potential damage that can be achieved. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes insufficient input validation, and represents a classic example of how UI manipulation can bypass traditional security controls. The attack vector specifically relates to the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which involves executing malicious code through user interaction with deceptive interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates to version 130.0.6723.58 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the insufficient validation issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies that ensure all users maintain current versions of Chrome to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Additionally, security teams should conduct user awareness training to recognize potentially deceptive UI elements and encourage safe browsing practices. Network monitoring solutions can help detect suspicious download activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, while browser security extensions can provide additional layers of protection. The fix implemented by Google addresses the root cause by strengthening input validation mechanisms within the download handling process, ensuring that all user interactions are properly verified before any UI manipulation occurs. This approach aligns with security best practices that emphasize defense in depth and proper validation of all user inputs and interactions within web browsers.