CVE-2016-1627 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The Developer Tools (aka DevTools) subsystem in Google Chrome before 48.0.2564.109 does not validate URL schemes and ensure that the remoteBase parameter is associated with a chrome-devtools-frontend.appspot.com URL, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted URL, related to browser/devtools/devtools_ui_bindings.cc and WebKit/Source/devtools/front_end/Runtime.js.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1627 represents a critical access control flaw within Google Chrome's Developer Tools subsystem that existed prior to version 48.0.2564.109. This issue stems from insufficient validation of URL schemes and remote base parameters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent intended security restrictions. The flaw specifically affects the browser/devtools/devtools_ui_bindings.cc component and WebKit's devtools/front_end/Runtime.js file, which together handle the processing and validation of developer tooling URLs. The vulnerability allows attackers to craft specially formatted URLs that can bypass the normal access controls designed to restrict access to sensitive developer tooling interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper validation logic within Chrome's DevTools subsystem. When processing URLs for developer tools, the system fails to properly verify that the remoteBase parameter originates from the legitimate chrome-devtools-frontend.appspot.com domain. This validation gap occurs because the code does not adequately check the URL scheme or enforce strict domain restrictions for remote base parameters. Attackers can exploit this by constructing malicious URLs that appear to originate from the trusted domain while actually pointing to attacker-controlled resources. The flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the browser's trust model for developer tools, which should only be accessible through legitimate channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to developer tooling interfaces that typically should be restricted to local development environments or authenticated users. This access could enable attackers to inspect, modify, or manipulate web applications in ways that would normally be prevented by Chrome's security architecture. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security boundaries that protect sensitive debugging interfaces and could potentially lead to information disclosure, code injection, or other malicious activities within the context of the browser session. The attack surface extends to any user who visits a malicious website that triggers the vulnerable URL processing logic.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to insufficient access control validation within web applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of inadequate input validation where URL parameters are not properly sanitized or verified before being used in security-sensitive contexts. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could leverage the developer tools access to execute malicious code within the browser context. The vulnerability also relates to T1566 Phishing techniques, as it could be exploited through malicious web pages that trick users into visiting crafted URLs. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Chrome version 48.0.2564.109 or later, which contains the necessary validation fixes for remoteBase parameter handling and URL scheme verification.
The remediation strategy involves ensuring that all URL parameters, particularly those related to remote base functionality, undergo strict validation against known good domains and URL schemes. This includes implementing proper domain whitelisting for developer tooling interfaces and enforcing scheme validation to prevent protocol downgrade attacks. Browser vendors should also implement comprehensive input sanitization for all parameters used in security-sensitive contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls to monitor for suspicious URL patterns and establish regular security updates to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other browser components. The fix implemented in Chrome 48.0.2564.109 demonstrates the importance of proper URL validation in security-critical subsystems and serves as a reference for similar vulnerabilities in other web browsers and applications that handle remote content processing.