Inappropriate implementation in WebAuthentication in Google Chrome on Android prior to version 130.0.6723.58 allows a local attacker to perform privilege escalation via a crafted HTML page. This vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level, which necessitates immediate attention from organizations relying on this browser.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive information, as the vulnerability can lead to a compromise of user privileges. Given that the attack vector is local, attackers would need physical access to the device, yet the potential for exploitation remains a significant concern, especially in shared or public environments.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The urgency is further underscored by the fact that exploitation could be facilitated through social engineering techniques, where users are tricked into opening malicious HTML content. This highlights the need for both technical remediation and user education.
The vulnerability was published on October 15, 2024. Although there is no known public exploit at this time, the combination of a high CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability warrants immediate action.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability occurs due to an inappropriate implementation in the WebAuthentication feature of Google Chrome running on Android devices. Specifically, the affected versions include all prior to 130.0.6723.58. The vulnerability is classified as a high severity issue, with a CVSS score of 7.8, reflecting a serious risk for users.
The attack vector is local, and it requires low complexity to exploit, as attackers do not need elevated privileges to execute an attack. User interaction is required, meaning that a victim must be tricked into visiting a malicious page for the escalation to occur.
The impact of exploitation is severe, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability, hence the high CVSS score. The vulnerability falls under the CWE classification, though specific CWE details were not disclosed.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of authentication processes within the WebAuthentication module. When users interact with a malicious HTML page, the lack of proper validation may allow local attackers to escalate privileges improperly.
The attack complexity is classified as low, meaning that attackers can exploit the vulnerability without sophisticated techniques. Privileges required for exploitation are none, making it accessible to any local attacker with access to the device. User interaction is necessary, as the attack relies on convincing the user to open a crafted HTML page.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability poses high risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data and manipulation of the application state.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is considerable, particularly for organizations that utilize Google Chrome on Android devices. The potential for exploitation in shared or public environments raises the stakes, emphasizing the necessity for immediate patching.
Organizations must assess their current usage of Google Chrome and implement patching strategies promptly. The blast radius of this vulnerability is significant, as it affects all users of the affected versions, not just those in high-security environments.
Given the high CVSS score and the fact that it is not included in the KEV catalog, organizations should treat this vulnerability as a high priority within their patch management processes.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of Google Chrome prior to 130.0.6723.58 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure that they upgrade to the latest version to mitigate the risks associated with this issue.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the necessary patches as soon as possible. To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, upgrade to version 130.0.6723.58 or later. If immediate upgrading is not feasible, organizations should implement strict access controls and monitor user interactions to reduce the likelihood of exploitation.
Additionally, organizations can benefit from penetration testing and continuous security assessments to identify and address any potential weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual activity related to WebAuthentication processes. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected user interactions or access attempts, should be flagged for further investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its demonstration of the risks associated with local exploitation in widely-used applications. As mobile browsers become increasingly sophisticated, the potential for similar vulnerabilities will likely rise.
Security teams should prioritize both proactive monitoring and reactive measures to mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-9956. Organizations are encouraged to review their vulnerability management program to ensure that similar weaknesses are identified and addressed promptly.
Moreover, the incident highlights the importance of incorporating penetration testing methodologies in the development cycle to proactively identify and remediate such vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Ultimately, the response to CVE-2024-9956 should serve as an impetus for organizations to enhance their security posture and prioritize mobile security in their overall risk management strategies.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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