Vulnerabilities in Chrome Could Allow Arbitrary Code Execution

Fortify Security Team
Apr 19, 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: Google is aware that these vulnerabilities are being exploited in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

  • Google Chrome versions prior to 90.0.4430.72

RISK:

Government:

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

Businesses:

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

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 use-after-free vulnerability that exists in the ‘permissions’ component. (CVE-2021-21201)
  • A use-after-free vulnerability that exists in the ‘extensions component. (CVE-2021-21202)
  • Multiple use-after-free vulnerabilities that exist in the ‘BLINK’ component. (CVE-2021-21203, CVE-2021-21204)
  • A vulnerability that exists in the ‘navigation component due to properly enforced certain policy. (CVE-2021-21205)
  • A use-after-free vulnerability that exists in the ‘IndexedDB’ component. (CVE-2021-21207)
  • A vulnerability exists in the ‘QR scanner’ component due to failure to validate data. (CVE-2021-21208)
  • A vulnerability exists in the ‘storage’ component due to certain implementation error. (CVE-2021-21209)
  • A vulnerability exists in the ‘Network’ component due to certain implementation error. (CVE-2021-21210)
  • A vulnerability exists in the ‘Navigation’ component due to certain implementation error. (CVE-2021-21211)
  • A vulnerability exists in the ‘Network Config UI’ component due to certain improper ‘security UI’. (CVE-2021-21212)
  • A use-after-free vulnerability that exists in the ‘WebMIDI component. (CVE-2021-21213)
  • A use-after-free vulnerability that exists in the ‘Network API’ component. (CVE-2021-21214)
  • Multiple vulnerabilities exist in the ‘Autofill’ component due to certain implementation errors. (CVE-2021-21215, CVE-2021-21216)
  • Multiple vulnerabilities exist in the ‘PDFium’ component due to certain uninitialized-use. (CVE-2021-21217, CVE-2021-21218, CVE-2021-21219)

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_14.html

CVE:

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21201

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21202

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21203

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21204

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21205

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21207

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21208

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21209

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21210

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21211

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21212

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21213

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21214

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21215

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21216

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21217

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21218

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-21219

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