CVE-2019-13720 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Google Chrome's WebAudio component, classified as a use-after-free issue. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a high level of risk to systems running affected versions of Chrome. Given its severity, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential exploitation.
The vulnerability was disclosed on November 25, 2019, and affects all versions of Google Chrome prior to 78.0.3904.87. It is crucial to note that exploitation is possible if a user interacts with a malicious web page, highlighting the importance of user awareness and security practices.
The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access and manipulation of sensitive data, making this vulnerability particularly critical for enterprises that rely on web applications. As such, immediate action is warranted to address the issue and prevent exploitation.
As of now, known exploits exist for this vulnerability, which further elevates the urgency for defenders to implement necessary patches and updates as per vendor instructions.
For organizations operating in environments where Google Chrome is used, it is paramount to ensure that all systems are updated to the latest version to reduce exposure to this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability results from a use-after-free condition in the WebAudio feature of Google Chrome. Specifically, this condition occurs when the application incorrectly manages memory, leading to potential heap corruption. The CWE classification for this vulnerability is CWE-416.
The CVSS vector string for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, representing a network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction needed, and high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected versions include Google Chrome prior to 78.0.3904.87, impacting users of the browser across various operating systems. The vulnerability was officially published on November 25, 2019.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper memory management associated with WebAudio components within Google Chrome. Attackers may leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code if a user interacts with a specifically crafted HTML page. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker does not require physical access to the target system.
The attack complexity is rated as low, indicating that it does not require significant skill or resources to exploit the vulnerability. No privileges are required for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is necessary to trigger the exploit.
The potential impacts of this vulnerability are significant, as it can lead to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, perform actions as the affected user, or disrupt the availability of the service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2019-13720 is substantial, especially for organizations that utilize Google Chrome as part of their operational environments. The vulnerability's ability to allow remote attackers to exploit heap corruption via crafted web content presents a clear threat, particularly if users are not cautious when browsing the internet.
Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and consider the potential blast radius. Given that this vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.8, it falls into the high-severity category, indicating that it should be addressed as a priority in the patch management cycle.
Urgency is further underscored by the fact that CVE-2019-13720 has been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating that it is actively being exploited in the wild. Organizations must act swiftly to mitigate associated risks by applying patches and implementing appropriate security measures.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of Google Chrome are affected by this vulnerability: all versions prior to 78.0.3904.87. Additionally, the OpenSUSE Leap 15.1 is also vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest updates provided by Google. The recommended version to upgrade to is 78.0.3904.87 or later. In cases where the patch is not immediately available, organizations should implement network controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious web content.
Organizations should also consider conducting thorough application security assessments to identify other vulnerabilities in their systems. For more information on how to enhance your security posture, refer to the application security assessment services offered by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2019-13720, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of compromise, such as unusual access patterns or attempted exploitation of the WebAudio component. Behavioral anomalies in web traffic can indicate potential exploitation attempts.
Additionally, organizations should implement network signatures to identify traffic associated with known exploits targeting this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2019-13720 highlights the ongoing challenges in web application security, especially regarding memory management vulnerabilities. As this vulnerability has been actively exploited, it serves as a reminder for security teams to prioritize patch management and user education on safe browsing practices.
Moreover, this incident emphasizes the importance of maintaining a robust vulnerability management program to address not only existing vulnerabilities but also emerging threats. For insights into designing an effective vulnerability management program, refer to the vulnerability management program guide by AppSecure.
As the landscape of web vulnerabilities continues to evolve, organizations must stay vigilant and proactive in their security posture. Regular reviews of security configurations and proactive testing through penetration testing can help identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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