Overview
CVE-2024-11919 is a reported security vulnerability affecting Google Chrome on Android. Specifically, it involves an “inappropriate implementation” related to Intents within the browser prior to version 129.0.6668.58. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to leverage a crafted HTML page to perform UI (User Interface) spoofing attacks. The Chromium project has classified this as a “Low” severity issue.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from how Chrome handles Intents on Android. Intents are a mechanism for applications to communicate with each other and perform actions on the user’s behalf. In this case, the improper handling of specific Intents parameters allows a malicious webpage to construct a deceptive UI element within Chrome. This deceptive UI can then trick users into believing they are interacting with a legitimate Chrome feature or a trusted application, when in reality, they are interacting with a malicious element controlled by the attacker.
The precise details of the inappropriate implementation are not publicly available beyond what’s disclosed in the Chromium issue tracker. Further reverse engineering of the affected Chrome versions and analysis of the fix implemented in version 129.0.6668.58 and later would be necessary to fully understand the root cause.
CVSS Analysis
Currently, a CVSS score has not been assigned to CVE-2024-11919. This is not uncommon for low-severity vulnerabilities. The lack of a CVSS score doesn’t necessarily diminish the importance of patching, but it reflects that the vulnerability likely requires significant user interaction and/or specific circumstances to be successfully exploited, and the potential impact is limited.
Possible Impact
While classified as low severity, a successful UI spoofing attack can have implications. An attacker could use the spoofed UI to:
- Phish for user credentials (e.g., displaying a fake login prompt).
- Trick users into granting unauthorized permissions.
- Redirect users to malicious websites disguised as legitimate ones.
- Potentially install malware (though this would require further exploitation).
The success of such attacks relies on the user being deceived by the spoofed UI and interacting with it in a way that benefits the attacker.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The primary mitigation for CVE-2024-11919 is to update Google Chrome on your Android device to version 129.0.6668.58 or later. Chrome typically updates automatically, but you can manually check for updates by:
- Opening the Google Play Store app.
- Tapping your profile icon in the top right.
- Tapping “Manage apps & device”.
- If an update for Chrome is available, tap “Update”.
In the meantime, users should exercise caution when interacting with websites, especially those from unfamiliar or untrusted sources. Pay close attention to the Chrome UI and be wary of any unexpected prompts or requests.
