CVE-2015-8480 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The VideoFramePool::PoolImpl::CreateFrame function in media/base/video_frame_pool.cc in Google Chrome before 47.0.2526.73 does not initialize memory for a video-frame data structure, which might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds memory access) or possibly have unspecified other impact by leveraging improper interaction with the vp3_h_loop_filter_c function in libavcodec/vp3dsp.c in FFmpeg.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8480 represents a critical memory initialization flaw within Google Chrome's media processing subsystem that could be exploited to execute remote code or cause system instability. This issue resides in the VideoFramePool::PoolImpl::CreateFrame function located in media/base/video_frame_pool.cc, where the video-frame data structure fails to receive proper memory initialization before being utilized in subsequent processing operations. The flaw specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 47.0.2526.73, making it a significant concern for users running outdated browser versions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with a memory safety issue that could be categorized under CWE-457, which deals with use of uninitialized variables, and more specifically aligns with CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper interaction with FFmpeg's vp3_h_loop_filter_c function in libavcodec/vp3dsp.c, where the uninitialized memory from Chrome's video frame pool gets passed to the decoding library. This creates a scenario where memory access patterns become unpredictable, potentially leading to out-of-bounds memory access violations that could manifest as denial of service conditions or more severe impacts. The attack vector leverages the browser's multimedia processing capabilities, where crafted malicious media content could trigger the vulnerable code path during video decoding operations. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser security and multimedia library integration, demonstrating how seemingly isolated components can create cascading security issues when proper memory management protocols are not followed.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to end users who may encounter malicious content through various attack vectors including compromised websites, phishing emails, or malicious file attachments. The potential impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include possible information disclosure or arbitrary code execution, making it a serious concern for enterprise security teams and individual users alike. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a user to interact with malicious content within the browser environment, making it a client-side attack that can bypass traditional network-based security controls. Security analysts should note that this issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves legitimate user interaction to execute malicious code, and demonstrates the importance of keeping browser software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of Chrome version 47.0.2526.73 or later, which includes the necessary memory initialization fixes for the VideoFramePool implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all browser installations are updated promptly, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted content. Additional protective measures include implementing content filtering solutions, restricting user access to potentially malicious websites, and monitoring for suspicious browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening configurations that limit multimedia processing capabilities where appropriate, and establish incident response procedures to quickly address any potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries and the need for robust security testing of integrated components.