CVE-2016-1668 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The forEachForBinding function in WebKit/Source/bindings/core/v8/Iterable.h in the V8 bindings in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 50.0.2661.102, uses an improper creation context, which allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1668 resides within the V8 bindings implementation of the Blink rendering engine used in Google Chrome browsers. This flaw specifically affects the forEachForBinding function located in WebKit/Source/bindings/core/v8/Iterable.h, which handles JavaScript iteration operations for web content. The vulnerability stems from an improper creation context being utilized during the binding process, creating a security loophole that undermines fundamental web security mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests when the forEachForBinding function fails to properly establish the execution context for JavaScript operations, allowing malicious code to manipulate the binding behavior in ways that should be restricted by the browser's security model. This improper context handling enables attackers to craft specific web pages that can exploit the binding mechanism to access objects and resources that should normally be protected by the Same Origin Policy. The vulnerability essentially creates a pathway for cross-origin data access that bypasses the browser's fundamental security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to perform unauthorized cross-origin operations without user interaction. An attacker could construct a malicious website that leverages this flaw to access data from other origins, potentially including sensitive information from legitimate websites that users have authenticated to. The vulnerability affects Google Chrome versions prior to 50.0.2661.102, representing a substantial portion of users who were exposed to this risk during the affected period. This type of bypass can lead to data theft, session hijacking, and other serious security compromises that could affect user privacy and system integrity.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) as it exploits JavaScript execution contexts to bypass security controls. The improper context creation represents a failure in the security model's enforcement mechanism, allowing privilege escalation through legitimate browser functionality. Organizations should immediately update to Chrome version 50.0.2661.102 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix addresses the core context handling issue that enabled the bypass. Additionally, administrators should monitor for any exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional network-level protections while waiting for full deployment of the security patch.