CVE-2008-5915 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
An unspecified function in the JavaScript implementation in Google Chrome creates and exposes a "temporary footprint" when there is a current login to a web site, which makes it easier for remote attackers to trick a user into acting upon a spoofed pop-up message, aka an "in-session phishing attack." NOTE: as of 20090116, the only disclosure is a vague pre-advisory with no actionable information. However, because it is from a well-known researcher, it is being assigned a CVE identifier for tracking purposes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5915 represents a sophisticated browser security flaw that emerged within Google Chrome's JavaScript implementation. This issue stems from an unspecified function that inadvertently creates and exposes what security researchers term a "temporary footprint" during active web sessions. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users maintain active logins to websites, creating a persistent state that can be exploited by malicious actors. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as this flaw enables attackers to craft highly convincing phishing attempts that appear legitimate within the user's active browsing session.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of session state information within Chrome's JavaScript engine. When users are logged into websites, the browser maintains certain contextual information that should remain isolated from malicious script execution. However, this flaw allows malicious JavaScript code to access or manipulate session-related data that should be protected. The "temporary footprint" refers to the residual state information that persists in memory or through browser APIs even after normal page transitions or when JavaScript execution is suspended. This creates an attack surface where malicious actors can leverage existing session context to craft deceptive pop-up messages that appear to originate from legitimate websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables what security professionals classify as "in-session phishing attacks." These attacks exploit the trust users place in their active browser sessions by crafting spoofed pop-ups that appear to come from legitimate websites they are currently visiting. The attack vector relies on the fact that users are already authenticated to target websites, making the spoofed messages more convincing and increasing the likelihood of user interaction. This vulnerability essentially undermines the browser's security model by allowing malicious code to manipulate the user's perception of their browsing context and session state, potentially leading to credential theft, unauthorized transactions, or other malicious activities.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-613 and CWE-352, representing weaknesses in session management and cross-site request forgery protection respectively. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for input injection and T1566 for phishing attacks, demonstrating how browser-level flaws can enable more sophisticated social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability's classification as an in-session phishing attack highlights the importance of maintaining proper isolation between legitimate and malicious JavaScript execution contexts. Security researchers have noted that such flaws often stem from inadequate sandboxing mechanisms or improper access controls within browser rendering engines, where session state information should be strictly protected from unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability typically involve browser vendors implementing stricter isolation mechanisms for session-related data and ensuring that JavaScript execution contexts cannot access or manipulate existing session footprints. Users should maintain updated browser versions and exercise heightened caution when interacting with pop-up messages, particularly those appearing during active sessions on sensitive websites. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper session management and the need for comprehensive security testing of browser JavaScript implementations. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as browser security policies, content security policies, and user education programs to reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular security audits of browser-based applications and thorough testing of session handling mechanisms are essential practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.