CVE-2019-13686 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Google Chrome prior to version 77.0.3865.90 was found to have a vulnerability in its offline mode, allowing a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption through a crafted HTML page.

Understanding CVE-2019-13686

A vulnerability known as "use after free" in Google Chrome's offline mode could be exploited by a remote attacker, potentially leading to heap corruption.

What is CVE-2019-13686?

Prior to version 77.0.3865.90, Google Chrome's offline mode had a vulnerability known as "use after free" that could be exploited by a remote attacker using a specially crafted HTML page.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13686

This vulnerability had the potential to allow a remote attacker to cause heap corruption by exploiting the "use after free" issue in Google Chrome's offline mode.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13686

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Google Chrome's offline mode, prior to version 77.0.3865.90, allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption through a crafted HTML page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: Less than 77.0.3865.90

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit the vulnerability by using a specifically crafted HTML page to trigger heap corruption in Google Chrome's offline mode.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 77.0.3865.90 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid visiting untrusted websites or clicking on suspicious links to reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement security best practices such as using antivirus software and practicing safe browsing habits.

Patching and Updates

Google released a stable channel update for desktop to address this vulnerability. Ensure that your Chrome browser is updated to the latest version.