CVE-2015-1288 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The Spellcheck API implementation in Google Chrome before 44.0.2403.89 does not use an HTTPS session for downloading a Hunspell dictionary, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to deliver incorrect spelling suggestions or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted file, a related issue to CVE-2015-1263.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1288 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's Spellcheck API implementation that existed prior to version 44.0.2403.89. This weakness specifically pertains to how the browser handles the download of Hunspell dictionaries, which are essential components for spell checking functionality across various web applications and email clients. The flaw stems from the application's failure to establish secure HTTPS connections when retrieving these dictionary files, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries could exploit to compromise the integrity of spell checking operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the lack of proper encryption and authentication during the dictionary download process, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks. When Chrome attempts to fetch Hunspell dictionaries for spell checking purposes, it defaults to using unencrypted HTTP connections instead of secure HTTPS protocols. This design flaw allows attackers positioned between the user and the dictionary server to intercept, modify, or replace the downloaded dictionary files with malicious content. The implications extend beyond simple spelling correction, as compromised dictionaries could deliver incorrect spellings that might be used for phishing attacks or other social engineering campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1288 is substantial given the widespread use of Google Chrome as a primary web browser and the fundamental role spell checking plays in user interactions with web applications. Attackers could potentially manipulate spell check results to redirect users toward malicious websites by providing incorrect spellings for common terms, or they could inject false dictionary entries that appear legitimate to users. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could be leveraged across multiple attack scenarios, including credential theft, malware delivery, and information manipulation. The related vulnerability CVE-2015-1263 further emphasizes the interconnected nature of these spell check implementation weaknesses, suggesting systemic issues within the browser's approach to handling external dictionary resources.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of encryption, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566, focusing on spearphishing attacks that could leverage compromised spell checking functionality. The vulnerability represents a failure in secure communication practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper transport layer security for all external resource downloads. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to prevent exploitation, while security teams should monitor for potential indicators of compromise related to spell check dictionary modifications and implement network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized alterations to dictionary files. The incident underscores the critical need for robust security practices in browser components and emphasizes the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software to protect against known vulnerabilities.