CVE-2019-13691 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Google Chrome before version 77.0.3865.75 is vulnerable to a remote attack that allows manipulation of the Omnibox through specially crafted HTML pages due to insufficient input validation.

Understanding CVE-2019-13691

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Google Chrome that could be exploited by a remote attacker to manipulate the URL bar.

What is CVE-2019-13691?

Before version 77.0.3865.75, Google Chrome was susceptible to a flaw that enabled a remote attacker to spoof the contents of the Omnibox by injecting a specially crafted HTML page.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13691

The vulnerability allowed remote attackers to manipulate the URL bar, potentially leading to phishing attacks or spoofing of legitimate websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13691

Google Chrome's vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Google Chrome allowed remote attackers to manipulate the Omnibox by injecting specially crafted HTML pages due to inadequate input validation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: < 77.0.3865.75

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious HTML pages to manipulate the URL bar.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate the CVE-2019-13691 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 77.0.3865.75 or newer.
Be cautious of clicking on suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update browsers and software to patch security vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and recognizing phishing attempts.

Patching and Updates

Google released a fix in version 77.0.3865.75 to address this vulnerability.