CVE-2014-3161 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The WebMediaPlayerAndroid::load function in content/renderer/media/android/webmediaplayer_android.cc in Google Chrome before 36.0.1985.122 on Android does not properly interact with redirects, which allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via a crafted web site that hosts a video stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3161 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's implementation of web media player functionality on Android platforms. This issue resides within the WebMediaPlayerAndroid::load function located in content/renderer/media/android/webmediaplayer_android.cc, which governs how Chrome handles video streaming content on mobile devices. The flaw specifically manifests in the improper handling of HTTP redirects during media loading operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent fundamental web security mechanisms. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 36.0.1985.122, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of Android-based Chrome browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the WebMediaPlayerAndroid component's failure to properly validate redirect chains when loading media content. When a web page attempts to load a video stream through the media player, the system should enforce strict origin policies to prevent cross-origin resource access. However, due to inadequate redirect handling, attackers can craft malicious websites that manipulate the redirect process to load content from different origins while bypassing the same origin policy enforcement mechanisms. This occurs because the media player does not adequately validate the final destination of redirected requests, allowing attackers to serve malicious content through seemingly legitimate redirect chains. The flaw essentially creates a loophole in Chrome's security model where redirect responses are not properly scrutinized against the original request's security context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables sophisticated attacks that can compromise user privacy and data integrity. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access media resources that should be restricted by origin policies, potentially allowing them to retrieve sensitive content from other domains or execute cross-site scripting attacks through manipulated media streams. The implications are particularly severe in mobile environments where users may be browsing untrusted websites, as the vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction or explicit consent. This weakness essentially undermines the browser's fundamental security architecture by allowing unauthorized access to media resources that should remain protected by the same origin policy.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to the recommended secure release 36.0.1985.122 or later, which implements proper redirect validation mechanisms. System administrators should also consider implementing network-level controls to monitor and restrict media content access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their mobile browser usage policies and ensure all Android devices are updated with the latest Chrome security patches. Additionally, web developers should be aware of this vulnerability when designing media streaming applications and implement proper content security policies to minimize the attack surface. This remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in the CWE-20 standard for improper input validation, and addresses the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for browser exploitation through media-based attack vectors.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper redirect handling in web security implementations, particularly in mobile browser environments where resource access controls are paramount. This flaw highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of media handling components and proper validation of all network request responses. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader mobile browser security assessments and ensure that all redirect chains are properly validated against the original security context to prevent similar bypass scenarios in other components. The fix implemented in the patched version demonstrates the necessity of maintaining strict security boundaries even during legitimate network operations such as redirects, reinforcing the principle that all network interactions must be validated against security policies regardless of their apparent legitimacy.