CVE-2016-1664 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The HistoryController::UpdateForCommit function in content/renderer/history_controller.cc in Google Chrome before 50.0.2661.94 mishandles the interaction between subframe forward navigations and other forward navigations, which allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar via a crafted web site.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1664 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's history management system that specifically affects the HistoryController::UpdateForCommit function within the content/renderer/history_controller.cc file. This issue exists in Chrome versions prior to 50.0.2661.94 and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in how the browser handles navigation state transitions when dealing with complex forward navigation scenarios involving subframes. The flaw stems from improper handling of the interaction between subframe forward navigations and main frame forward navigations, creating a condition where malicious actors can manipulate the browser's address bar display through carefully crafted web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the browser's navigation history tracking mechanism by manipulating the relationship between different navigation contexts within the same browsing session. When a web page contains multiple frames or iframes that perform forward navigation operations, the HistoryController fails to properly synchronize the state updates between these different navigation contexts. This synchronization failure allows attackers to inject malicious navigation states that can cause the browser to display misleading URL information in the address bar, effectively enabling address bar spoofing attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the update process that occurs when commit operations are performed during navigation, where the system should maintain consistent state across all navigational contexts but fails to do so properly.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables sophisticated phishing attacks where malicious websites can display false URLs in the address bar, deceiving users about the actual destination of their navigation. Attackers can craft web pages that manipulate the browser's forward navigation history in such a way that when users navigate forward through their browsing history, they see a different URL than the one they actually visited. This creates a dangerous environment for users who may trust the address bar display and inadvertently proceed to malicious destinations. The attack vector requires the victim to have navigated forward in their history from a legitimate site to a malicious one, making it particularly insidious as users may not immediately recognize the deception until they notice discrepancies in their browsing behavior.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-600, which addresses "Uncaught Exception in Servlet," but more specifically relates to CWE-200, "Information Exposure," and CWE-352, "Cross-Site Request Forgery," as it enables attackers to manipulate browser state and display misleading information to users. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1056.001, "Input Injection: Command Injection," and T1566.001, "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment," as it enables sophisticated phishing attacks that can bypass traditional security measures by manipulating the browser interface itself. The attack requires the user to be actively navigating forward in their history, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where users might be engaged in sensitive activities such as online banking or accessing confidential information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome browsers to version 50.0.2661.94 or later, as this represents the official fix provided by Google. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all systems are running patched versions, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple browsers may be in use. Additionally, browser security teams should consider implementing enhanced monitoring for suspicious navigation patterns and address bar modifications that could indicate this type of attack. Users should be educated about the importance of verifying URLs even when they appear to be displayed correctly in the address bar, as this vulnerability specifically targets the trust users place in the browser interface itself. Network security controls should also be enhanced to detect and block suspicious navigation sequences that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where users access sensitive applications or data.