CVE-2021-21161 is classified as a high-severity vulnerability due to its CVSS score of 8.8. This vulnerability allows a heap buffer overflow in the TabStrip component of Google Chrome versions prior to 89.0.4389.72. The nature of this vulnerability means that it can potentially be exploited by remote attackers through specially crafted HTML pages, leading to significant risks associated with heap corruption.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential system crashes, and a compromised user experience. Given the attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction, the risks are heightened, particularly in environments where users may unknowingly visit malicious sites.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The vulnerability has been modified as of November 21, 2024, indicating ongoing support and updates from the vendor, Google. This highlights the importance of staying current with browser updates to mitigate risks associated with such vulnerabilities.
As of now, there are no known exploits in the wild, but the potential for exploitation remains, making it crucial for organizations to address this vulnerability promptly.
Vulnerability Details
The heap buffer overflow vulnerability in TabStrip allows attackers to exploit heap corruption via crafted HTML pages. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-787. The affected product, Google Chrome, has a CVSS score of 8.8, indicating a high severity level. The vulnerability was first published on March 9, 2021, and continues to pose a risk to systems running versions prior to 89.0.4389.72.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-21161 is a heap buffer overflow in the TabStrip component of Google Chrome. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely, requiring user interaction to trigger the attack. The attack complexity is rated as low, and no privileges are required for exploitation. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all classified as high, which underscores the serious nature of this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Google Chrome face significant risks, including compromised user data and potential unauthorized access to sensitive information. The blast radius is widespread given the popularity of Google Chrome as a primary web browser. Urgency for remediation is high due to the CVSS score of 8.8 and the potential for exploitation if users access malicious content.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Google Chrome versions prior to 89.0.4389.72 are affected by this vulnerability. Additionally, Fedora versions 32, 33, and 34, as well as Debian Linux version 9.0, are also vulnerable. Organizations should ensure that they upgrade to the latest versions to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade Google Chrome to version 89.0.4389.72 or later. Additionally, users of Fedora and Debian Linux should ensure all patches are applied. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to untrusted sites and monitoring for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Further, organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns and behavioral anomalies. Look for signs of unexpected application crashes or memory corruption errors that could indicate exploitation. Additionally, implementing network signatures that alert on anomalous traffic patterns may help identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-21161 lies in the ongoing evolution of browser vulnerabilities, particularly those that exploit memory management issues. This vulnerability exemplifies the need for continuous security assessments and proactive patch management. Security teams should remain vigilant about similar trends in vulnerability patterns and ensure that robust security practices are in place to mitigate such risks. For more insights, organizations can explore our penetration testing methodology and consider our vulnerability management program to further enhance their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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