CVE-2015-1361 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
platform/image-decoders/ImageFrame.h in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 40.0.2214.91, does not initialize a variable that is used in calls to the Skia SkBitmap::setAlphaType function, which might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted HTML document, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-1205.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-1361 resides within the Blink rendering engine's image decoding component, specifically in the ImageFrame.h header file that governs how image frames are processed and rendered. This flaw exists in Google Chrome versions prior to 40.0.2214.91, representing a critical security gap that could be exploited by remote attackers through maliciously crafted HTML documents. The vulnerability stems from improper variable initialization within the image decoding pipeline, creating a scenario where uninitialized memory values could be inadvertently passed to core graphics functions.
The technical root cause involves the failure to properly initialize a variable before it is passed to the Skia SkBitmap::setAlphaType function, which is a fundamental graphics processing operation within Chrome's rendering stack. This uninitialized variable contains unpredictable memory contents that are then interpreted as alpha type parameters, potentially causing the graphics subsystem to behave erratically. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and graphics processing, where improper initialization leads to undefined behavior that can cascade into system instability or more severe consequences. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which specifically addresses the use of uninitialized variables in software development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests primarily through remote code execution possibilities and denial of service conditions when users encounter maliciously crafted web content. Attackers can construct HTML documents that trigger the vulnerable code path during image processing, potentially causing Chrome to crash or exhibit unpredictable behavior. The unspecified nature of additional impacts suggests that under certain conditions, this flaw could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks beyond simple denial of service, though the exact attack vectors remain largely theoretical. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly minor initialization errors in graphics processing code can have significant security implications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Chrome version 40.0.2214.91 or later, which includes the necessary patches to properly initialize the affected variable before it is passed to graphics functions. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML content, though these measures provide only partial protection given the nature of the vulnerability. Security teams should consider implementing browser hardening measures and monitoring for unusual graphics processing behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper variable initialization in security-critical code paths and reinforces the need for comprehensive code review processes that examine memory management practices within graphics and multimedia components. This issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers the use of system services and libraries to execute malicious code, particularly in the context of browser-based exploitation scenarios.