CVE-2024-9965 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2024
Insufficient data validation in DevTools in Google Chrome on Windows prior to 130.0.6723.58 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI gestures to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9965 represents a critical security flaw within Google Chrome's DevTools implementation on Windows operating systems. This issue stems from inadequate data validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user inputs or interactions within the debugging interface. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 130.0.6723.58, creating a window of exposure where malicious actors could exploit this weakness through carefully crafted HTML pages. The flaw operates under the Chromium security severity classification of Low, which may underestimate its potential impact given the remote code execution capabilities it enables.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to convince a user to perform specific user interface gestures while interacting with a malicious webpage. This social engineering component is crucial as it demonstrates the attack vector relies on user interaction rather than purely automated exploitation. The DevTools interface, which is designed for legitimate debugging purposes, becomes a potential attack surface when insufficient validation occurs during data processing. The vulnerability manifests when the browser processes crafted HTML content that triggers unexpected behavior within the DevTools environment, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the browser process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where Chrome is extensively used for web development and debugging activities. The attack requires user interaction, which means that successful exploitation depends on convincing victims to perform specific gestures, typically through phishing or malicious website visits. However, the low severity classification might lead to insufficient urgency in patching, potentially allowing prolonged exploitation windows. Security teams must understand that while the initial attack vector requires user engagement, the potential for privilege escalation and system compromise remains high, particularly in environments where developers frequently use DevTools.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation," and demonstrates how inadequate validation in user interface components can create dangerous attack vectors. It also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript," as the exploitation likely involves JavaScript execution within the browser context. Organizations should implement immediate patching strategies to address this vulnerability, ensuring all Chrome installations are updated to version 130.0.6723.58 or later. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious websites and interactions, particularly those that prompt specific UI gestures. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual DevTools activity patterns, and administrative controls should be implemented to restrict access to potentially dangerous debugging features in production environments. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that patching does not disrupt legitimate development workflows while maintaining robust security postures.