CVE-2015-1264 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Google Chrome before 43.0.2357.65 allows user-assisted remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted data that is improperly handled by the Bookmarks feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1264 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Google Chrome's bookmark handling functionality. This issue affects versions prior to 43.0.2357.65 and demonstrates how seemingly benign browser features can become attack vectors when proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms are absent. The vulnerability specifically resides in the bookmarks feature where crafted data is improperly processed, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a user's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of bookmark data within Chrome's rendering engine. When users interact with bookmarks containing maliciously crafted data, the browser fails to properly escape or validate the input before displaying it in the user interface. This failure creates a classic XSS condition where attacker-controlled content can be executed in the context of the victim's browsing session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-79 classification as a cross-site scripting flaw, specifically manifesting in the context of bookmark management rather than traditional web page content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to Chrome users who may inadvertently encounter malicious bookmarks in shared environments, compromised websites, or through social engineering campaigns. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that victims must interact with the malicious content, typically by clicking on a bookmark or visiting a compromised website that presents malicious bookmark data. This interaction model reduces the attack surface compared to fully autonomous XSS vulnerabilities but still maintains substantial impact potential. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting browser-based execution environments.
The security implications extend beyond immediate script execution as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session manipulation, credential theft, or by redirecting users to malicious sites that exploit additional browser vulnerabilities. Users with elevated privileges or those accessing sensitive corporate data through Chrome are particularly at risk, as the compromised session could provide access to confidential information or administrative functions. The vulnerability's presence in the bookmarks feature also suggests potential for long-term persistence, as bookmark data can remain in user profiles for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1264 primarily focus on immediate remediation through Chrome version updates to 43.0.2357.65 or later, which contain the necessary patches to properly sanitize bookmark data. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and consider deploying automated patch management systems to ensure timely remediation across all user environments. Additional protective measures include user education about bookmark security practices, regular security awareness training, and implementation of content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious bookmark data. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and browser security extensions may provide additional defense in depth, though the primary mitigation remains the official Chrome security update. The vulnerability's resolution demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in all browser components and highlights how even specialized features like bookmarks require rigorous security testing to prevent exploitation.