CVE-2024-9956 is a vulnerability identified in the WebAuthentication implementation of Google Chrome on Android platforms prior to version 130.0.6723.58. The WebAuthentication API is designed to facilitate secure user authentication using public key cryptography, often interfacing with hardware authenticators or biometric systems. However, in this case, an inappropriate implementation flaw allows a local attacker to escalate privileges by crafting a malicious HTML page that, when visited by a user, exploits the vulnerability. The attack vector requires user interaction (visiting the malicious page) but does not require the attacker to have any prior privileges or authentication on the device. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as it can lead to unauthorized access and control over the device or sensitive data. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the potential for exploitation is significant given the widespread use of Chrome on Android devices worldwide. The vulnerability was published on October 15, 2024, and Google has released a patched version (130.0.6723.58) to address the issue.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those with employees or users relying on Android devices with Google Chrome installed. The ability for a local attacker to escalate privileges via a crafted HTML page could lead to unauthorized access to corporate data, compromise of user credentials, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks if devices are connected to internal resources. The impact extends to confidentiality (exposure of sensitive data), integrity (alteration of data or system settings), and availability (potential device disruption). Given the high adoption rates of Android and Chrome across Europe, the threat surface is considerable. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which handle sensitive information, are particularly at risk. The requirement for user interaction means social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to deliver the malicious HTML content, increasing the likelihood of exploitation. Failure to patch promptly could result in targeted attacks leveraging this vulnerability to compromise devices and networks.

European organizations should immediately ensure that all Android devices running Google Chrome are updated to version 130.0.6723.58 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions should enforce automatic updates or restrict installation of outdated Chrome versions. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and clicking on suspicious links, as user interaction is required for exploitation. Deploying web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious sites can reduce exposure. Implementing strict app sandboxing and limiting permissions for Chrome can help contain potential exploitation. For high-security environments, consider disabling or restricting WebAuthentication features if not required. Regular security audits and monitoring for unusual device behavior can aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. Finally, organizations should maintain an incident response plan tailored to mobile device compromises.