CVE-2021-21142 is a critical vulnerability identified in Google Chrome affecting users on Mac systems. Specifically, it involves a 'use after free' issue in the Payments feature of the browser, which can be exploited by remote attackers. This vulnerability allows a malicious actor to potentially perform a sandbox escape, thereby gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or system resources through a crafted HTML page.
The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its CVSS score of 9.6, categorizing it as critical. The risk to organizations includes the potential for attackers to execute arbitrary code, leading to significant breaches of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Given the nature of web browsers and how they interact with untrusted content, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to users and organizations alike.
As of the latest updates, there have been no confirmed public exploits available, but organizations are urged to take this vulnerability seriously. The exploitability score indicates a low complexity for attackers, with user interaction required to initiate the attack. This means that while a degree of caution is necessary on the part of the user, the underlying risk remains substantial.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate any risks associated with this vulnerability. The patched version of Google Chrome is 88.0.4324.146, and users should ensure they update to this version or later to protect against potential exploits.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is classified as a 'use after free' type, which is a common memory corruption issue. The specific CVE description states that this vulnerability allows a remote attacker to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page. The CVSS score of 9.6 indicates a critical severity level due to its high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected versions include all Google Chrome versions prior to 88.0.4324.146 on Mac, which highlights the importance of updating to the latest version. This vulnerability has been categorized under CWE-416, which denotes 'Use After Free'.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-21142 stems from improper memory management in the Payments functionality within Google Chrome. Specifically, the 'use after free' condition occurs when the application attempts to access memory that has already been freed, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate the state of the application and execute arbitrary code.
The attack vector is classified as network-based, meaning that the exploit can be executed remotely over the internet. The attack complexity is low, indicating that a successful exploit does not require advanced skills or sophisticated techniques, but it does necessitate user interaction, such as visiting a malicious webpage.
Privileged access is not required for this vulnerability, which means that an attacker can execute the exploit without needing to gain administrative rights on the target system. The potential impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability damage, as the exploit could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, alteration of data, or denial of service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations are facing significant risks due to CVE-2021-21142, especially as Google Chrome is widely used across various sectors. The potential for sandbox escape could allow attackers to execute code with the same privileges as the user, leading to severe data breaches or system compromise. The blast radius could extend to sensitive user data, financial information, and organizational integrity.
Given the CVSS score of 9.6 and the critical nature of this vulnerability, organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation. This includes ensuring that all users are operating on updated versions of Google Chrome and monitoring for any unusual activities that may suggest exploitation attempts.
The urgency for patching is high given the vulnerability's potential impact. Organizations should incorporate this into their security policies and practices to mitigate risk effectively.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Google Chrome include all versions prior to 88.0.4324.146 on Mac systems. Additionally, Fedora versions 32 and 33 are also impacted by this vulnerability. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to the latest version to mitigate any risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-21142, organizations should ensure that they are running the latest version of Google Chrome. Users should upgrade to at least version 88.0.4324.146 to protect themselves from potential exploits. Regular patch management practices should be implemented, and users should be educated on recognizing suspicious links and HTML content.
In the event that patching is not immediately possible, organizations should consider implementing additional security measures, such as network controls that limit access to potentially harmful content and monitoring solutions that can detect unusual behavior indicative of attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
For more guidance on validating the effectiveness of your security measures, organizations can refer to penetration testing services.
Detection Guidance
To detect any attempts to exploit CVE-2021-21142, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized access or unusual requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Look for behavioral anomalies related to the Payments feature in Chrome, and ensure that your logging mechanisms capture relevant data regarding user interactions with potentially malicious HTML content.
Network signatures should be updated to identify traffic patterns consistent with exploitation attempts. Additionally, system changes resulting from potential exploitation should be closely monitored.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-21142 serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance in application security, especially around commonly used software such as web browsers. The nature of this vulnerability highlights the risks associated with memory management errors, which can have far-reaching implications.
Security teams should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape and continue to evaluate the effectiveness of their security controls. Regular security assessments, including penetration testing methodologies, are essential to identify weaknesses and ensure robust defenses.
Furthermore, organizations should stay informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities through continuous monitoring of their systems and participation in threat intelligence sharing initiatives. For more insights on securing applications, consult our vulnerability management program resources.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)