CVE-2015-1302 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The PDF viewer in Google Chrome before 46.0.2490.86 does not properly restrict scripting messages and API exposure, which allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via an unintended embedder or unintended plugin loading, related to pdf.js and out_of_process_instance.cc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1302 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's PDF viewer implementation that undermines fundamental web security principles. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 46.0.2490.86 and stems from improper handling of scripting messages and API exposure within the PDF rendering component. The vulnerability specifically exploits the pdf.js library integration and the out_of_process_instance.cc file, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the browser's Same Origin Policy mechanisms that are designed to prevent unauthorized cross-origin communication.
The technical flaw manifests through unintended embedder or plugin loading scenarios where the PDF viewer fails to properly enforce security boundaries between the PDF rendering process and the browser's main execution environment. This improper restriction allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the isolation mechanisms that should protect against cross-origin attacks. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security layers, leveraging weaknesses in process isolation and API access controls that are fundamental to modern browser security architectures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to perform cross-site scripting attacks and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or system resources. An attacker could craft malicious PDF documents that, when opened in affected Chrome versions, would allow execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the PDF viewer process. This could lead to data exfiltration, system compromise, or further exploitation of the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability affects users who rely on Chrome's built-in PDF viewer for document consumption, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PDF documents are commonly shared and opened.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome installations to version 46.0.2490.86 or later, which includes fixes for the pdf.js integration and out_of_process_instance.cc handling. Organizations should implement additional security measures such as restricting PDF document downloads from untrusted sources, deploying content security policies that limit script execution, and monitoring for suspicious PDF-related network activity. Security professionals should also consider implementing browser hardening techniques and maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and code injection, emphasizing the need for comprehensive browser security management and regular update protocols to maintain protection against similar flaws in web rendering components.