CVE-2021-21221 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Google Chrome prior to 90.0.4430.72 is affected by a vulnerability due to insufficient validation of untrusted input in Mojo. An attacker who hijacked the renderer process could exploit this flaw to expose cross-origin data through a malicious HTML page.

Understanding CVE-2021-21221

This section will delve deeper into the details of the CVE-2021-21221 vulnerability in Google Chrome.

What is CVE-2021-21221?

CVE-2021-21221 is a security vulnerability in Google Chrome that arises from inadequate validation of untrusted input, specifically in the Mojo component. This flaw enables a remote attacker with control over the renderer process to reveal cross-origin data using a specifically crafted HTML page.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21221

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows a compromised renderer process to leak confidential cross-origin data, posing a serious threat to user privacy and data security.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21221

Let's explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-21221 to gain a better understanding of the vulnerability in Google Chrome.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Mojo in Google Chrome version prior to 90.0.4430.72 enables an attacker to leak sensitive cross-origin data by exploiting insufficient input validation. This occurs through a carefully crafted HTML page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Google Chrome versions below 90.0.4430.72 are impacted by CVE-2021-21221 due to the inadequate input validation issue in the Mojo component.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves compromising the renderer process and leveraging a malicious HTML page to extract and leak cross-origin data from the browser.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your system and data from the risks associated with CVE-2021-21221, it is crucial to implement the following mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Google Chrome to version 90.0.4430.72 or newer to eliminate the vulnerability and enhance security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Practicing safe browsing habits, avoiding suspicious websites, and keeping browsers and security software up to date are essential for long-term security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly install security patches and updates released by Google Chrome to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of the browser.