Vulnerabilities in Chrome Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution

Fortify Security Team
Apr 27, 2021

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Chrome, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Google Chrome is a web browser used to access the Internet. Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the browser. Depending on the privileges associated with the application, an attacker could view, change, or delete data. If this application has been configured to have fewer user rights on the system, exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could have less impact than if it was configured with administrative rights.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE: There are currently no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Google Chrome versions prior to 90.0.4430.93

RISK:
Government:

  • Large and medium government entities: High
  • Small government entities: High

Businesses:

  • Large and medium business entities: High
  • Small business entities: High

Home users: Low

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Google Chrome, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. These vulnerabilities can be exploited if a user visits, or is redirected to, a specially crafted web page. Details of the vulnerabilities are as follows:

  • A insufficient data validation vulnerability that exists in the ‘V8′ component. (CVE-2021-21227)
  • A insufficient policy enforcement vulnerability that exists in extensions. (CVE-2021-21228)
  • An incorrect security UI vulnerability exists in downloads. (CVE-2021-21229)
  • A type confusion vulnerability exists in the ‘V8’ component. (CVE-2021-21230)
  • A insufficient data validation vulnerability exists in the ‘V8’ component. (CVE-2021-21231)
  • An use after free vulnerability that exists in ‘Dev Tools’ component. (CVE-2021-21232)
  • A heap buffer overflow vulnerability that exists in the ‘ANGLE’ component. (CVE-2021-21233)

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the browser. Depending on the privileges associated with the application, an attacker could view, change, or delete data. If this application has been configured to have fewer user rights on the system, exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could have less impact than if it was configured with administrative rights.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

We recommend the following actions be taken:

  • Apply the stable channel update provided by Google to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing.
  • Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
  • Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources.
  • Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources.
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services.

REFERENCES:

Google:
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2021/04/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_26.html

CVE:
https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21227

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21228

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21229

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21230

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21231

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21232

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21233

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