CVE-2021-38021: 
vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2021-38021 is a security vulnerability discovered in Google Chrome prior to version 96.0.4664.45. The vulnerability involves an inappropriate implementation in the referrer system that allowed remote attackers to bypass navigation restrictions through a crafted HTML page. The issue was reported by security researchers Prakash (@1lastBr3ath) and Jun Kokatsu on July 27, 2021 (Chrome Release).

The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5 (Medium) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N. This indicates that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely, requires low attack complexity, needs no privileges, but does require user interaction. The impact primarily affects integrity with no impact on confidentiality or availability (NVD).

When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass navigation restrictions in the browser through specially crafted HTML pages. This could potentially lead to unauthorized navigation or redirection to malicious websites, compromising the intended security boundaries of the browser (NVD).

The vulnerability was patched in Google Chrome version 96.0.4664.45. Users and organizations are advised to update to this version or later to mitigate the risk. The fix was also incorporated into various Linux distributions including Debian and Fedora through their respective security updates (Debian Advisory, Fedora Update).