CVE-2019-13705 : What You Need to Know

Google Chrome prior to version 78.0.3904.70 had a vulnerability due to insufficient policy enforcement in extensions, allowing attackers to exploit malicious extensions and exfiltrate cross-origin data.

Understanding CVE-2019-13705

This CVE relates to a security issue in Google Chrome that could be exploited by attackers to leak cross-origin data through a crafted Chrome Extension.

What is CVE-2019-13705?

Prior to version 78.0.3904.70 of Google Chrome, a lack of adequate policy enforcement in extensions allowed attackers to exploit a user's installation of a malicious extension and exfiltrate cross-origin data.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13705

The vulnerability enabled attackers to manipulate Chrome extensions to access and extract sensitive cross-origin data, posing a risk to user privacy and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13705

Google Chrome's vulnerability due to insufficient policy enforcement in extensions has the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Google Chrome allowed attackers to convince users to install malicious extensions, leading to the leakage of cross-origin data through a carefully crafted Chrome Extension.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: < 78.0.3904.70

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by convincing users to install a malicious extension, enabling them to exfiltrate cross-origin data using the compromised Chrome Extension.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-13705, users and organizations can take the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 78.0.3904.70 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Be cautious when installing extensions and only use trusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and remove unnecessary or unused extensions.
Educate users on the risks associated with installing unverified extensions.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for Google Chrome and promptly apply patches to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.