CVE-2015-1220 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the GIFImageReader::parseData function in platform/image-decoders/gif/GIFImageReader.cpp in Blink, 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 a crafted frame size in a GIF image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
The CVE-2015-1220 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Blink rendering engine's GIF image decoding component, specifically affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 41.0.2272.76. This vulnerability resides in the GIFImageReader::parseData function located in platform/image-decoders/gif/GIFImageReader.cpp, making it a fundamental component of the browser's image processing pipeline. The flaw manifests when the application encounters a malformed GIF image with an improperly sized frame, creating a scenario where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted GIF image that manipulates frame size parameters in a manner that triggers improper memory management within the GIF decoder. When the parser processes such malformed data, it executes code paths that result in memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to the same memory addresses, creating a classic use-after-free condition. This memory corruption vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the image decoding logic, where the application fails to properly verify frame dimensions before processing them. The vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory, and represents a direct consequence of improper memory handling within the image processing subsystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or system instability. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious GIF images on web servers, where they will be processed by vulnerable Chrome browsers upon page load. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that attackers might be able to execute code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. This represents a significant threat in the context of browser-based attacks, as it allows adversaries to exploit the image rendering functionality that is commonly encountered during web browsing operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique, which involves the use of scripting languages, and potentially T1203 for legitimate program execution, as the vulnerability leverages the normal operation of the browser's image processing capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1220 primarily involve immediate browser updates to versions 41.0.2272.76 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the memory management issues in the GIF decoder. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected browsers are updated promptly, as this vulnerability affects not just Chrome but potentially other applications built on the Blink engine. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict image loading from untrusted sources, deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malformed image requests, and utilizing sandboxing mechanisms that limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify and alert on potentially malicious image files within their networks, as well as establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle browser-based memory corruption vulnerabilities.