CVE-2015-2239 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 41.0.2272.76, when Instant Extended mode is used, does not properly consider the interaction between the "1993 search" features and restore-from-disk RELOAD transitions, which makes it easier for remote attackers to spoof the address bar for a search-results page by leveraging (1) a compromised search engine or (2) an XSS vulnerability in a search engine, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-1231.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-2239 represents a sophisticated browser security flaw affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 41.0.2272.76 that specifically targets the browser's address bar spoofing capabilities within Instant Extended mode. This vulnerability operates through a complex interaction between legacy search features and browser navigation transitions, creating a pathway for remote attackers to deceive users about the true origin of web content. The flaw leverages the "1993 search" features that were originally designed for backward compatibility with older search protocols, combined with restore-from-disk RELOAD transitions that occur when browsers attempt to reconstruct previously visited pages from cached data. This particular combination creates a window of opportunity where malicious actors can manipulate the browser's address bar display to show false origins while the actual content remains unchanged or is manipulated through compromised search engines.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from Chrome's handling of navigation state transitions when Instant Extended mode is active. When users perform search queries through the browser's integrated search functionality, the browser maintains certain state information that is typically used for restoring pages from disk cache. However, the vulnerability arises because the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize the transition state when a RELOAD operation occurs after a search query. This allows attackers to craft search engine responses that, when processed through the browser's navigation system, can cause the address bar to display a malicious URL while the actual content remains the same or is manipulated to appear legitimate. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the user interface level, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and spoofed content without technical expertise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple address bar deception and represents a significant threat to user trust and security in web browsing environments. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through two primary vectors: compromised search engines or cross-site scripting vulnerabilities within search engine domains. The first approach involves taking control of a search engine service and manipulating its responses to include malicious URLs that will be displayed in the address bar during navigation transitions. The second approach leverages existing XSS vulnerabilities in search engine code to inject malicious content that can manipulate the browser's navigation state. This vulnerability enables sophisticated phishing attacks where users are deceived into believing they are visiting legitimate websites while actually interacting with malicious content. The attack surface is particularly concerning because search functionality is one of the most frequently used browser features, making the exploitation potential widespread and difficult to defend against through simple user education.
The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics that align with CWE-601, URL Redirection to Untrusted Site, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The security implications extend to user privacy and data protection as users may unknowingly interact with malicious content while believing they are visiting trusted websites. Organizations implementing browser security policies must consider this vulnerability as part of their risk assessment, particularly in environments where users perform frequent searches or where search functionality is heavily utilized. The remediation strategy requires updating Chrome to version 41.0.2272.76 or later, which includes proper state validation and sanitization for navigation transitions in Instant Extended mode. Additionally, security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious search engine behavior and consider additional layers of defense such as browser extensions that provide enhanced address bar verification or network-level protections that can detect and block malicious redirection attempts.
This vulnerability highlights the complexity of modern browser security architectures where legacy compatibility features can introduce unexpected attack vectors. The interaction between different browser components and the timing of various state transitions creates subtle but dangerous opportunities for attackers to exploit user trust in familiar interface elements. The remediation process for such vulnerabilities often requires careful consideration of backward compatibility requirements while ensuring that security measures do not negatively impact legitimate user functionality. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their browser usage patterns and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping browser software updated and maintaining awareness of specific browser security features that may introduce additional attack surfaces beyond traditional web application vulnerabilities.