CVE-2015-1215 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The filters implementation in Skia, as used in Google Chrome before 41.0.2272.76, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors that trigger an out-of-bounds write operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1215 resides within the Skia graphics library implementation, which serves as a core component in Google Chrome browser before version 41.0.2272.76. This flaw manifests in the filter processing functionality that handles various graphical operations within the browser's rendering engine. The Skia library is responsible for implementing 2D graphics rendering capabilities, including image processing filters, which are extensively used in web content rendering and canvas operations. When Chrome processes web pages containing specially crafted graphics elements, the vulnerable filter implementation fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to critical memory safety issues.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through an out-of-bounds write operation that can be triggered by malicious web content. Attackers can craft HTML or SVG elements that utilize specific filter parameters, causing the Skia library to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. This memory corruption vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the filter processing code, where array indices or buffer sizes are not properly validated before use. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory layout in ways that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability, depending on the specific conditions and memory layout during exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1215 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability could potentially enable remote code execution in certain circumstances. When exploited, this flaw allows attackers to manipulate the browser's memory space and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the browsing process. The vulnerability affects a wide range of web content including images, SVG graphics, and canvas operations that utilize filter effects. This makes it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites. The attack surface includes any web page that employs graphics filters, making it a significant threat vector for targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1215 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions containing the patched Skia implementation. Users should ensure they are running Chrome version 41.0.2272.76 or later where the memory bounds checking has been properly implemented. System administrators should implement network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block potentially malicious content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions, and represents a critical concern under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for execution through web-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as sandboxing, privilege separation, and regular security audits to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the graphics rendering pipeline.