CVE-2015-6774 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the GetLoadTimes function in renderer/loadtimes_extension_bindings.cc in the Extensions implementation in Google Chrome before 47.0.2526.73 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JavaScript code that modifies a pointer used for reporting loadTimes data.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2022
The CVE-2015-6774 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome's extension implementation that could enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. This vulnerability specifically affects the GetLoadTimes function within the renderer/loadtimes_extension_bindings.cc file, which is responsible for handling loadTimes data reporting in Chrome extensions. The flaw occurs when JavaScript code manipulates pointers used for reporting loadTimes information, creating a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after being deallocated. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions that can lead to memory corruption and potential code execution. The vulnerability exists in Chrome versions prior to 47.0.2526.73, making it a significant concern for users running older browser versions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious JavaScript code that can manipulate the pointer references used by the GetLoadTimes function to report browser load times data. When the extension system processes this manipulated data, it attempts to access memory that has already been freed, potentially leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can manifest in various ways including application crashes, denial of service conditions, or more severe impacts such as arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the renderer process context, which is responsible for displaying web content and handling extension interactions. Attackers can leverage this flaw through malicious websites or web-based attacks that load crafted JavaScript code, making it a prevalent vector for remote exploitation in web browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6774 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome renderer process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack surface is broad as it affects all Chrome users running vulnerable versions, particularly those who visit malicious websites or interact with compromised web content. Organizations using Chrome for business operations face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or establish persistent access points within their networks. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based attacks and T1489 for denial of service operations, making it a multi-faceted threat requiring comprehensive defensive measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6774 primarily focus on immediate browser updates and security hardening measures. The most effective remediation is upgrading to Chrome version 47.0.2526.73 or later, which includes patches addressing the use-after-free condition in the extension binding implementation. Security administrators should implement automated update policies to ensure all Chrome installations remain current with the latest security patches. Additional protective measures include enabling Chrome's built-in security features such as sandboxing, which limits the potential impact of exploitation attempts, and implementing content security policies to restrict malicious JavaScript execution. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable Chrome versions within organizational environments, as the use-after-free nature of this vulnerability makes it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to target systems.