Improper Input Validation in Google Chromium Intents (CVE‑2021‑38000) Enables Arbitrary URL Redirection
What It Is
Chromium Intents, a component used by Google Chrome and other Chromium‑based browsers, fails to properly validate input supplied via HTML pages. An attacker can embed a crafted page that forces the browser to navigate to any URL of the attacker’s choosing, effectively enabling drive‑by redirection attacks.
Exploitability
- CVSS v3.1 base score: 7.5 (High).
- Public proof‑of‑concept code has been released; no confirmed large‑scale campaign yet, but the vulnerability is easy to weaponize.
- Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating a heightened risk of active exploitation.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome (all supported versions prior to the patch).
- Microsoft Edge (Chromium‑based).
- Opera and any other browser that incorporates the Chromium Intents library.
Why It Matters for Compliance & Audit Readiness
Control‑centric organizations must demonstrate that web‑browser usage is governed by documented vendor‑management and access‑control policies. This flaw directly challenges those controls by allowing untrusted navigation without user consent, undermining:
- Vendor‑Management Controls – evidence of timely patching and version inventory.
- Access Controls – assurance that browsers only load approved content.
Maintaining a defensible audit trail (e.g., patch‑management logs, browser‑hardening baselines) shows due diligence under frameworks such as NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS.
Recommended Actions
- Patch Immediately – Deploy the latest browser releases that contain the Chromium Intents fix.
- Validate Asset Inventory – Confirm all endpoints run a patched version; document findings for audit evidence.
- Enforce URL Filtering – Apply network‑level web‑filtering to block known malicious destinations.
- Monitor for Redirection Anomalies – Use SIEM or browser telemetry to detect unexpected navigation events.
- Update Vendor‑Management Controls – Record the remediation step in your vendor‑risk register and map it to the relevant control (e.g., “Secure Configuration – Browser”).
Source: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-38000