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CVE-2023-2460

7.1 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows a malicious Chrome extension to bypass file access checks when a user visits a crafted HTML page. Attackers could potentially read or write files on the user's system without proper permissions. All users running vulnerable versions of Google Chrome with extensions installed are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Google Chrome
  • Chromium-based browsers
Versions: Versions prior to 113.0.5672.63
Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, macOS, ChromeOS
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Requires both vulnerable Chrome version and malicious extension installation

📦 What is this software?

Chrome by Google

Google Chrome is the world's most popular web browser, used by over 3 billion users globally across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms. As a Chromium-based browser developed by Google, Chrome dominates the browser market with approximately 65% market share, making it a critical compon...

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⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

An attacker could read sensitive files (passwords, documents) or write malicious files to the system, potentially leading to data theft or system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Malicious extension could access user files in directories it shouldn't have permission to, leading to privacy violations or credential theft.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper extension vetting and user caution, impact is limited to isolated file access by already-installed malicious extensions.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM
🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No
Weaponized: UNKNOWN
Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No
Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires user to install malicious extension first, then visit crafted HTML page

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 113.0.5672.63 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Chrome menu > Help > About Google Chrome. 2. Chrome will automatically check for updates and install version 113.0.5672.63 or later. 3. Click 'Relaunch' to restart Chrome.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable all extensions

all

Temporarily disable all Chrome extensions to prevent exploitation

chrome://extensions/ → toggle off all extensions

Remove suspicious extensions

all

Review and remove any unfamiliar or unnecessary extensions

chrome://extensions/ → click 'Remove' on suspicious extensions

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Only install extensions from trusted sources and developers
  • Use Chrome in guest mode or incognito mode which disables extensions

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Chrome version: chrome://settings/help or chrome://version

Check Version:

google-chrome --version (Linux) or check chrome://version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify Chrome version is 113.0.5672.63 or higher

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Chrome extension installation logs
  • File access attempts from Chrome process

Network Indicators:

  • Downloads of suspicious Chrome extensions
  • Requests to unusual domains from Chrome

SIEM Query:

process_name:"chrome.exe" AND (event_type:"extension_install" OR file_access:"sensitive_paths")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-2460
CVSS v3 Score: 7.1 (HIGH)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N
Published: May 3, 2023
Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

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