CVE-2015-1292 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The NavigatorServiceWorker::serviceWorker function in modules/serviceworkers/NavigatorServiceWorker.cpp in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 45.0.2454.85, allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy by accessing a Service Worker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1292 represents a critical security flaw in the Blink rendering engine that powers Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers. This issue specifically affects the NavigatorServiceWorker::serviceWorker function located in the modules/serviceworkers/NavigatorServiceWorker.cpp file, which is responsible for handling service worker interactions within the browser's architecture. The vulnerability arises from improper enforcement of the Same Origin Policy, a fundamental security mechanism that prevents web pages from accessing resources from different origins without explicit permission.
The technical flaw manifests when remote attackers can exploit the service worker functionality to bypass the Same Origin Policy protections that normally restrict cross-origin access. Service workers are background processes that enable features like push notifications, background sync, and offline capabilities, but they must operate under strict security boundaries. In this case, the NavigatorServiceWorker implementation fails to properly validate or restrict access to service worker contexts, allowing malicious actors to access service worker resources that should be isolated to their originating domain. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-1021 category of "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer" and specifically relates to improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to perform cross-origin information disclosure and potentially execute malicious code within the context of service workers. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access sensitive data, manipulate service worker registrations, or perform unauthorized operations that should be restricted to the same origin. The vulnerability affects all versions of Google Chrome prior to 45.0.2454.85, making it particularly dangerous as it would have impacted a substantial user base during that period. This type of vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and control communication and T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage, as it enables unauthorized access to browser service worker functionalities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 45.0.2454.85 or later, which implements proper Same Origin Policy enforcement for service worker access. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual service worker behavior and consider browser hardening measures that restrict service worker functionality in sensitive environments. Additionally, developers should be aware of the proper service worker security boundaries and implement appropriate origin checking mechanisms in their applications. The fix implemented by Google involved strengthening the access controls within the NavigatorServiceWorker::serviceWorker function to ensure that service worker operations are properly constrained to their originating domains, preventing unauthorized cross-origin access that could lead to information disclosure or privilege escalation attacks.