CVE-2015-1297 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The WebRequest API implementation in extensions/browser/api/web_request/web_request_api.cc in Google Chrome before 45.0.2454.85 does not properly consider a request's source before accepting the request, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted (1) app or (2) extension.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1297 resides within the WebRequest API implementation of Google Chrome browser extensions, specifically in the file web_request_api.cc. This flaw represents a critical access control weakness that undermines the security model designed to protect users from unauthorized network activity. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 45.0.2454.85 and stems from insufficient validation of request sources within the extension API framework. The WebRequest API serves as a critical component that allows browser extensions to intercept, modify, and monitor network requests made by the browser, making it a prime target for exploitation by malicious actors seeking to circumvent security boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a failure in source validation mechanisms within the WebRequest API implementation. When extensions attempt to make network requests through the browser's API, the system should verify the originating source to ensure that only authorized extensions or applications can perform specific network operations. However, Chrome's implementation before version 45.0.2454.85 failed to properly authenticate or validate the source of incoming requests, allowing malicious entities to craft specially crafted app or extension requests that would bypass intended access restrictions. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where unauthorized code can exploit the API to perform actions it should not be permitted to execute. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the extension architecture's trust model, which is fundamental to Chrome's security framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote attackers to execute unauthorized network operations through malicious extensions or applications. Attackers could potentially bypass content filtering, access restricted resources, or perform man-in-the-middle attacks by leveraging the compromised WebRequest API to intercept and manipulate network traffic. The vulnerability particularly affects users running vulnerable Chrome versions, as it allows malicious actors to exploit the extension ecosystem to gain unauthorized access to network resources. This could lead to data exfiltration, credential theft, or the installation of additional malicious software through compromised extension channels. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate extension functionality to perform malicious activities, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems that typically trust extension-based network operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement within the browser extension architecture. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1176, which involves the use of system scripts or extensions to gain access to restricted resources. Organizations and users should immediately update to Chrome version 45.0.2454.85 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the patch addresses the source validation issues within the WebRequest API implementation. Additional mitigations include implementing strict extension management policies, regularly auditing installed extensions, and monitoring for unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security administrators should also consider deploying network monitoring tools to detect anomalous extension behavior that could indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.