CVE-2015-1233 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 41.0.2272.118 does not properly handle the interaction of IPC, the Gamepad API, and Google V8, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1233 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 41.0.2272.118 that stems from improper handling of inter-process communication mechanisms combined with the Gamepad API and the V8 JavaScript engine. This flaw creates a dangerous intersection where malicious actors can exploit the interaction between these components to achieve arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically manifests when Chrome processes gamepad input through IPC channels while simultaneously utilizing V8's JavaScript execution environment, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries can leverage for remote code execution.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation and handling of data flows between Chrome's renderer processes and the main browser process through IPC mechanisms. When the Gamepad API is invoked, it creates communication pathways that should be strictly controlled and validated, but in affected Chrome versions, these pathways contain insufficient safeguards. The V8 JavaScript engine, which executes JavaScript code within Chrome, becomes a critical component in this attack chain where malicious JavaScript can manipulate the IPC communication to bypass security restrictions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 weakness category, which describes "Out-of-bounds Write" conditions that can occur when a program writes data past the end of a buffer, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution within browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction or specific exploitation prerequisites. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected Chrome versions, automatically trigger the vulnerable code path through legitimate Gamepad API usage. This allows for complete system compromise, enabling attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to victim systems. The vulnerability affects all platforms where the affected Chrome versions are deployed, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile operating systems that use Chrome as their browser engine. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and targeted campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome installations to versions 41.0.2272.118 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and consider deploying automated patch management systems to ensure all Chrome installations remain current. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies that restrict Gamepad API access, using web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious IPC traffic patterns, and deploying browser hardening techniques that limit JavaScript execution capabilities. Network administrators should also consider implementing browser isolation solutions and monitoring for unusual IPC communication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in complex software systems and highlights how seemingly benign API interactions can create critical security weaknesses when not properly secured through comprehensive validation and sanitization mechanisms.