CVE-2021-21173 : Security Advisory and Response

Side-channel information leakage in Network Internals in Google Chrome prior to 89.0.4389.72 allowed a remote attacker to leak cross-origin data via a crafted HTML page.

Understanding CVE-2021-21173

This section will provide an insight into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-21173.

What is CVE-2021-21173?

CVE-2021-21173 refers to a side-channel information leakage vulnerability in Network Internals of Google Chrome versions earlier than 89.0.4389.72. This vulnerability enabled a remote attacker to extract cross-origin data by utilizing a specially designed HTML page.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21173

The impact of this vulnerability was significant as it allowed threat actors to retrieve sensitive cross-origin information, leading to potential data breaches and privacy violations.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21173

This section will delve into the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involved a side-channel information leakage issue in Network Internals of Google Chrome, permitting unauthorized data access through malicious HTML content.

Affected Systems and Versions

Google Chrome versions preceding 89.0.4389.72 were affected by this security flaw, making them susceptible to data exposure.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability in Network Internals, threat actors could craft HTML pages that exfiltrate sensitive cross-origin data stealthily.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will discuss the steps to mitigate and prevent exploits targeting CVE-2021-21173.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are strongly advised to update their Google Chrome browser to version 89.0.4389.72 or above to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability. Additionally, exercising caution while browsing unknown or suspicious websites can help prevent potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining regular software updates, utilizing security-enhancing browser extensions, and being cautious of the websites visited can enhance overall cybersecurity posture.

Patching and Updates

Google promptly addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 89.0.4389.72. Users should ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to safeguard against similar exploits.