CVE-2021-21181 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-21181 - a vulnerability in Google Chrome allowing remote attackers to extract sensitive information via a side-channel leak. Find out how to mitigate and prevent exploitation.
Side-channel information leakage in autofill in Google Chrome prior to version 89.0.4389.72 allowed a remote attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory via a crafted HTML page.
Understanding CVE-2021-21181
This section will cover the details regarding the CVE-2021-21181 vulnerability in Google Chrome.
What is CVE-2021-21181?
CVE-2021-21181 is a security vulnerability in Google Chrome that enables a remote attacker to access sensitive information through a side-channel information leakage issue in autofill feature.
The Impact of CVE-2021-21181
The impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to extract sensitive data from the memory of the affected system, posing a risk to user privacy and data confidentiality.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-21181
In this section, we dive into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-21181 vulnerability in Google Chrome.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from a side-channel information leakage flaw in the autofill feature, which can be exploited through a specially crafted HTML page to access sensitive information from the process memory.
Affected Systems and Versions
Google Chrome versions prior to 89.0.4389.72 are affected by this vulnerability. Users with versions older than the mentioned one are at risk of exploitation.
Exploitation Mechanism
Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a malicious link, triggering the leak of sensitive data stored in the browser's memory.
Mitigation and Prevention
To protect systems from CVE-2021-21181, immediate actions and long-term security practices are necessary.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users and organizations should update Google Chrome to version 89.0.4389.72 or higher to patch the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly update browsers and software to the latest versions, employ security measures like firewalls and antivirus software, and educate users on safe browsing practices to mitigate risks.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security updates from Google and apply patches promptly to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.