CVE-2015-1230 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The getHiddenProperty function in bindings/core/v8/V8EventListenerList.h in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 41.0.2272.76, has a name conflict with the AudioContext class, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via JavaScript code that adds an AudioContext event listener and triggers "type confusion."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1230 resides within the Blink rendering engine's JavaScript binding layer, specifically in the getHiddenProperty function located in bindings/core/v8/V8EventListenerList.h. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects Google Chrome versions prior to 41.0.2272.76, where the problematic code structure creates an unintended name collision between the getHiddenProperty function and the AudioContext class. The vulnerability manifests through JavaScript code execution that leverages this naming conflict to manipulate the JavaScript engine's internal state.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of property access within the V8 JavaScript engine's binding layer. When JavaScript code attempts to add an event listener to an AudioContext object and subsequently triggers specific operations, the name conflict within the getHiddenProperty function causes the JavaScript engine to misinterpret the intended property access patterns. This misinterpretation leads to type confusion within the V8 engine's memory management system, where the engine incorrectly handles object type information during property access operations. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of JavaScript binding mechanisms and low-level memory management, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled JavaScript can manipulate the engine's internal type tracking mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious JavaScript that specifically targets the AudioContext event listener mechanism, triggering the type confusion state that allows for unpredictable behavior within the JavaScript engine. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that it may serve as a vector for more sophisticated attacks, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the core JavaScript engine where attackers can leverage it to bypass security mechanisms or manipulate the execution flow of legitimate web applications.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-129, concerning improper validation of array indices. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1499.004 for denial of service through resource exhaustion. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely through web browsers, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently access untrusted web content. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser updates to versions 41.0.2272.76 or later, which contain the necessary patches to resolve the name conflict in the getHiddenProperty function. Additionally, browser security policies should be reviewed to limit JavaScript execution capabilities where possible, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar binding layer vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the JavaScript engine.