CVE-2016-1650 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The PageCaptureSaveAsMHTMLFunction::ReturnFailure function in browser/extensions/api/page_capture/page_capture_api.cc in Google Chrome before 49.0.2623.108 allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact by triggering an error in creating an MHTML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1650 resides within Google Chrome's page capture extension API implementation, specifically in the PageCaptureSaveAsMHTMLFunction::ReturnFailure function located in browser/extensions/api/page_capture/page_capture_api.cc. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects Chrome versions prior to 49.0.2623.108, where the browser's handling of MHTML document creation contains a significant error condition that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests when the page capture extension attempts to save web pages as MHTML documents, which is a format that encapsulates web content including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other resources into a single file. When an error occurs during this process, particularly during the document creation phase, the ReturnFailure function fails to properly handle the error condition, leading to potential system instability. This error handling deficiency creates a pathway for attackers to trigger a denial of service condition by crafting specific web content or URLs that will cause the extension to fail during MHTML generation, resulting in browser crashes or unresponsive states.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the unspecified other impacts referenced in the CVE description suggest potential for more severe consequences. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or gain elevated privileges within the browser environment, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability falls under CWE-248, Uncaught Exception, which indicates that the application fails to properly handle exceptional conditions that occur during execution. This weakness creates an attack surface where an attacker can manipulate the execution flow of the extension API, potentially leading to privilege escalation or information disclosure.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as attackers could craft malicious web pages that trigger the vulnerable code path through JavaScript execution. The MHTML format itself presents additional attack vectors since it can contain embedded scripts and resources that may be executed during the save process. Security researchers have noted that this type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in browser environments where extensions have elevated privileges and can access sensitive user data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices that are commonly exploited in browser-based attacks, making it a prime target for exploitation in advanced persistent threat campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1650 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 49.0.2623.108 or later, where the error handling in the page capture extension has been corrected. Organizations should also implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary extensions, particularly those with elevated privileges like page capture utilities. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious content that may trigger this vulnerability. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of visiting untrusted websites and downloading suspicious files remains crucial in preventing exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of browser crashes or unusual resource consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust error handling in browser extension APIs and serves as a reminder of the critical security implications that can arise from seemingly minor implementation flaws in core browser functionality.