CVE-2016-1640 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The Web Store inline-installer implementation in the Extensions UI in Google Chrome before 49.0.2623.75 does not block installations upon deletion of an installation frame, which makes it easier for remote attackers to trick a user into believing that an installation request originated from the user's next navigation target via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-1640 represents a significant user interface deception flaw within Google Chrome's extension installation mechanism. This issue specifically affects the Web Store inline-installer implementation in the Extensions UI component of Chrome versions prior to 49.0.2623.75. The core problem lies in how Chrome handles installation frames during the extension installation process, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit user trust and interaction patterns. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly terminate installation prompts when the installation frame is deleted, allowing attackers to manipulate the installation flow and potentially mislead users about the true source of installation requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and frame management within Chrome's extension installation framework. When a user navigates to a malicious website, the attacker can craft a page that initiates an extension installation while simultaneously manipulating the browser's installation frame behavior. The flaw occurs because the system does not adequately monitor or block installation requests when the original installation frame is removed from the DOM. This creates a scenario where a user might see an installation prompt that appears to originate from their intended navigation target, when in reality it was triggered by the malicious site they were visiting. The vulnerability essentially allows for a form of UI spoofing that can be leveraged to confuse users about the legitimacy and source of extension installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1640 extends beyond simple deception, as it enables sophisticated social engineering attacks that can lead to unauthorized extension installations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to make users believe they are installing legitimate extensions from trusted sources, when the actual installation is being orchestrated by malicious websites. This creates a dangerous precedent where users may unknowingly install extensions that could perform malicious activities such as data exfiltration, browser modification, or serving as entry points for further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the user interface level, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious installation prompts. This type of attack aligns with attack techniques categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the "Defense Evasion" and "User Execution" domains, specifically targeting the manipulation of user trust and interface behavior.
The security implications of this vulnerability are compounded by the fact that it requires no special privileges or elevated access to exploit. Users can be tricked into installing malicious extensions simply by visiting compromised websites, making it a widespread threat that affects all Chrome users running vulnerable versions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and inadequate state management within the browser's extension installation system, representing a failure to properly implement security boundaries between user interactions and system operations. This flaw falls under CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures, and more specifically relates to CWE-755, which covers weaknesses in the design of security mechanisms. Organizations and users should be particularly concerned about this vulnerability as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the trust model between users and browser security systems, potentially enabling broader attack vectors including credential theft, surveillance, and system compromise through malicious extensions.