CVE-2023-1529 is a critical vulnerability discovered in the WebHID (Human Interface Device) API implementation in Google Chrome prior to version 111..5563.110. The flaw can allow a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption by connecting a malicious HID device to the computer. In this long-read post, we'll examine the code snippet that exposes this vulnerability, links to original references, and discuss exploit details.

Background

WebHID is a relatively new API that allows web applications to interact with HID devices directly. It is responsible for connecting keyboards, mice, game controllers, and other peripherals to the web applications. However, Chrome's implementation of the WebHID API exposes a critical out-of-bounds memory access vulnerability, which can be exploited to cause a denial of service and potentially remote code execution.

Code Snippet

The vulnerability stems from the fact that Google Chrome does not correctly handle input from malicious HID devices. The exact code snippet responsible for the issue has not been publicly disclosed, but the general structure can be described as follows:

void processHIDInputPacket(unsigned char* buffer, size_t bufferSize){
   // Process the incoming HID data
   // ...

   size_t index = parse_data(buffer, bufferSize);

   // ...
}

This represents a simplified version of the function that processes HID input in Chrome. If the parse_data function does not correctly validate index, it can lead to an out-of-bounds access within the buffer, which in turn can cause heap corruption.

The original references to the vulnerability are

1. CVE entry: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-1529
2. Chromium security bug report: https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=1533912
3. Chrome release notes: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2023/02/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_23.html

Exploit Details

To exploit CVE-2023-1529, an attacker needs to create a malicious HID device that sends specially crafted input data causing Google Chrome to trigger the out-of-bounds memory access. This can lead to heap corruption and, in some cases, remote code execution.

For example, an attacker could create a USB device, disguise it as a seemingly benign peripheral (e.g., a keyboard or mouse), and distribute it in public places or target specific individuals. Once a user connects the malicious device to their computer and uses Chrome to access a web application utilizing the WebHID API, the vulnerability can be triggered.

The real-world impact of CVE-2023-1529 heavily depends on whether the attacker can successfully deliver their malicious HID hardware. However, considering that many users are not cautious about the HID devices they connect to their computers, the risk should not be underestimated.

Severity and Resolution

The severity of this vulnerability has been determined to be "High" by the Chromium security team. It is recommended that users update Google Chrome to the latest version (111..5563.110) or later as soon as possible to fix this vulnerability. For more information on updating Google Chrome, please visit: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95414

To stay protected from similar vulnerabilities in the future, users should also be cautious when connecting HID devices to their computers, particularly those obtained from unknown sources or public places.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-1529 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Chrome's WebHID API implementation that can be exploited to trigger heap corruption and denial of service. Users should update their Chrome browsers to the latest version and be cautious when connecting HID devices to their computers. By staying aware of potential threats and keeping software up to date, users can reduce their risk of exposure to such vulnerabilities.

Timeline

Published on: 03/21/2023 21:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 04/15/2023 04:16:00 UTC