CVE-2021-4053 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 96.0.4664.93 on Linux. This vulnerability allows for use after free in the user interface, enabling remote attackers to potentially exploit heap corruption through a specially crafted HTML page. The CVSS score of 8.8 indicates a significant risk, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from security teams.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access and data manipulation, highlighting the critical nature of this vulnerability. Exploitation is possible, as user interaction is required, but the attack vector is network-based, which increases exposure. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
The vulnerability was published on December 23, 2021, and has since been modified to reflect the ongoing threat landscape. It is crucial for organizations to stay updated and ensure that their systems are running the latest versions of affected software to protect against this and similar vulnerabilities.
As of now, there is no known public exploit available, but the potential for exploitation remains. Organizations are advised to remain vigilant and monitor for any signs of attempted exploitation while ensuring their systems are up to date.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2021-4053 states: 'Use after free in UI in Google Chrome on Linux prior to 96.0.4664.93 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.' This vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, indicating a use-after-free error.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that exploitation can occur over the internet. The attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required, which makes it easier for attackers to exploit this vulnerability. User interaction is required, which adds a layer of difficulty, but it does not significantly lower the risk.
The affected products include Google Chrome across various Linux distributions, specifically Debian and Fedora. Organizations using these systems should take immediate action to update to the patched version.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-4053 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the user interface of Google Chrome. This vulnerability arises when memory that has been freed is still accessed, potentially leading to heap corruption. The attack vector is network-based, allowing an attacker to exploit this vulnerability remotely by sending a specially crafted HTML page to a victim's browser.
Since the attack complexity is low, it can be exploited easily by attackers who have a crafted page ready. No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, which means that any user who visits the malicious page could potentially be affected. User interaction is necessary, as the victim must open the crafted HTML page to trigger the vulnerability.
The impacts of a successful exploitation include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, as indicated by the CVSS metrics. An attacker may gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulate data, or crash the application, leading to service disruptions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes potential data breaches, unauthorized access, and service disruptions due to the exploitation of this vulnerability. Given the high CVSS score of 8.8, organizations should assess their exposure and take immediate action to apply the necessary updates to affected systems.
Organizations utilizing Google Chrome, especially on Linux platforms, should prioritize remediation in their patch management processes. The blast radius for this vulnerability is significant, as it affects a widely used browser across multiple distributions. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in severe consequences, including data loss and reputational damage.
The urgency for remediation is high due to the nature of this vulnerability and the potential for exploitation by attackers. Organizations should schedule remediation as part of their priority patch cycle, ensuring that all systems are updated to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Google Chrome include all versions prior to 96.0.4664.93 on Linux. Additionally, Debian Linux 10.0 and 11.0, as well as Fedora 34, are known to be vulnerable. Organizations should ensure that these systems are updated with the latest patches to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate CVE-2021-4053, organizations should upgrade to the latest version of Google Chrome, specifically 96.0.4664.93 or higher. If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should implement workarounds such as disabling JavaScript or using alternative browsers until the patch can be applied.
Configuration hardening and network controls should be established to limit exposure. Organizations are encouraged to implement strict content security policies and monitor network traffic for unusual activities. Continuous security testing can help identify any potential vulnerabilities that remain unaddressed.
For more information on how to effectively secure your applications, consider reviewing our guide on penetration testing and its role in identifying vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators that may suggest exploitation attempts, such as unusual access patterns or unexpected application behavior. Behavioral anomalies in user interactions with the browser can also signal potential exploitation.
Network signatures should be developed to detect crafted HTML pages associated with this vulnerability. System changes should be monitored closely, particularly around the time when the patch was applied, to ensure that no unauthorized changes were made.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-4053 highlights the ongoing challenges of heap management in software development. This vulnerability serves as a reminder for security teams to prioritize secure coding practices and regular security assessments.
The trend of vulnerabilities related to use after free errors underscores the necessity for comprehensive code reviews and automated testing to catch these issues early in the development lifecycle.
Organizations should consider adopting a proactive security posture by investing in penetration testing methodologies to identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Additionally, understanding the implications of vulnerabilities such as CVE-2021-4053 can help shape future development practices and security policies, ensuring that organizations are better prepared to defend against emerging threats.
For further insights on vulnerability management and security best practices, refer to our article on designing a vulnerability management program to enhance your organization's 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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