CVE-2018-18358 : Security Advisory and Response

In previous versions of Google Chrome before 71.0.3578.80, a vulnerability existed where the special handling of localhost in WPAD files was not implemented, allowing an attacker within the same network to proxy resources on localhost.

Understanding CVE-2018-18358

In December 2018, CVE-2018-18358 was published, highlighting a security flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 71.0.3578.80.

What is CVE-2018-18358?

This CVE refers to the lack of special casing of localhost in WPAD files in Google Chrome before version 71.0.3578.80, enabling a local network attacker to proxy resources on localhost using a crafted WPAD file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18358

The vulnerability allowed attackers on the same network segment to exploit the flaw and proxy resources on localhost, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18358

Google Chrome CVE-2018-18358 involves:

Vulnerability Description

Insufficient policy enforcement in handling localhost in WPAD files

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: < 71.0.3578.80

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers within the same network segment could exploit the vulnerability by using a carefully crafted WPAD file to proxy resources on localhost.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-18358, consider the following:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 71.0.3578.80 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation of the flaw.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks within the same network.
Regularly educate users on safe browsing practices and the importance of keeping software up to date.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Google for Chrome to address known vulnerabilities.