CVE-2025-1915: Google Chrome Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-1915 Overview

CVE-2025-1915 is a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) affecting the DevTools component in Google Chrome on Windows. This vulnerability stems from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, allowing attackers who convince users to install a malicious Chrome extension to bypass file access restrictions. Through a crafted extension, attackers can access files outside intended directories, potentially compromising sensitive user data.

Critical Impact
Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can bypass file access restrictions via malicious Chrome extensions, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive files and high confidentiality and integrity impact on affected Windows systems.

Affected Products

Google Chrome on Windows prior to version 134.0.6998.35
Microsoft Windows (as the affected platform)
Chrome extensions utilizing DevTools APIs

Discovery Timeline

2025-03-05 - CVE-2025-1915 published to NVD
2025-04-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-1915

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists within the DevTools component of Google Chrome on Windows systems. The flaw allows a malicious Chrome extension to escape the intended file path restrictions, gaining access to files and directories outside of the extension's sandboxed environment. The attack requires user interaction, specifically convincing a victim to install a crafted malicious extension.

The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system, as attackers can potentially read sensitive files or modify data outside of the expected scope. However, there is no direct impact on system availability. The attack can be performed remotely over the network, though it requires the victim to take action by installing the malicious extension.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper path validation in the DevTools component when handling file access requests from Chrome extensions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory), commonly known as path traversal. The DevTools API fails to properly sanitize or validate file paths, allowing specially crafted paths containing traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory boundaries.

Attack Vector

The attack vector involves social engineering to convince a target user to install a malicious Chrome extension. Once installed, the extension leverages the DevTools API to craft file access requests with path traversal sequences. These requests bypass the intended file access restrictions, allowing the extension to read or manipulate files outside its permitted scope. The attack is network-based and requires user interaction (installing the malicious extension), making it dependent on social engineering success.

The exploitation mechanism involves:

Attacker creates a malicious Chrome extension designed to exploit the path traversal flaw
Victim is convinced to install the extension through phishing, fake software portals, or other social engineering techniques
The extension uses DevTools APIs with crafted path inputs containing directory traversal sequences
The vulnerable DevTools component fails to properly validate the paths
The extension gains access to files outside its intended sandbox

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-1915

Indicators of Compromise

Presence of unknown or suspicious Chrome extensions, particularly those requesting DevTools permissions
Unusual file access patterns from Chrome processes to directories outside standard browser paths
Chrome extensions accessing system files or user directories not typically required for legitimate extension functionality

Detection Strategies

Monitor Chrome extension installations for unauthorized or unrecognized extensions
Implement endpoint detection rules to identify Chrome processes accessing files outside expected browser directories
Review Chrome extension permissions, flagging extensions with DevTools API access
Deploy application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized extension installations

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable enhanced Chrome extension logging and audit trails on enterprise endpoints
Monitor for file system access events originating from Chrome DevTools processes on Windows systems
Implement alerts for Chrome processes attempting to access sensitive directories such as user profiles, system files, or application data folders
Regularly audit installed Chrome extensions across the organization

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-1915

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 134.0.6998.35 or later immediately on all Windows systems
Audit installed Chrome extensions and remove any unknown or untrusted extensions
Implement Chrome enterprise policies to restrict extension installation sources
Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted browser extensions

Patch Information

Google has released a security update addressing this vulnerability in Chrome version 134.0.6998.35. The patch can be obtained through Chrome's automatic update mechanism or by downloading the latest stable version directly from Google. For detailed information, refer to the Google Chrome Stable Update announcement and the Chromium Issue Tracker #391114799.

Organizations should prioritize deploying this update to all Windows systems running Chrome, particularly those where users have access to install extensions.

Workarounds

Implement Chrome enterprise policies to restrict extension installation to approved sources only
Disable DevTools access for non-developer users through Chrome enterprise policies
Use browser isolation solutions to limit the impact of potentially compromised extensions
Deploy endpoint protection solutions to monitor and block suspicious file access patterns from browser processes

bash

# Chrome Enterprise Policy Configuration Example
# Restrict extension installation sources via Group Policy
# ExtensionInstallSources: Only allow extensions from specific URLs
# ExtensionInstallAllowlist: Only allow specific extension IDs

# Registry path for Windows:
# HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome

# To disable DevTools:
# DeveloperToolsAvailability = 2 (disabled for all users except managed accounts)