CVE-2016-1674 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The extensions subsystem in Google Chrome before 51.0.2704.63 allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1674 represents a critical security flaw within Google Chrome's extensions subsystem that enabled remote attackers to circumvent the fundamental Same Origin Policy protection mechanism. This weakness existed in Chrome versions prior to 51.0.2704.63 and fundamentally compromised the browser's security model by allowing malicious actors to execute cross-origin requests that should have been blocked by default. The Same Origin Policy serves as one of the core security foundations in web browsers, preventing scripts from one origin from accessing resources from another origin without proper authorization, making this bypass particularly dangerous.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involved unspecified vectors within the extensions subsystem that permitted unauthorized cross-origin communication between different web pages and extension contexts. This flaw likely exploited insufficient validation mechanisms in how Chrome handled extension permissions and cross-origin resource sharing, potentially allowing extensions to make requests to domains they should not have access to. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-284 indicates improper access control within the browser's extension architecture, where the system failed to properly enforce security boundaries between different execution contexts. Attackers could leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized data exfiltration, execute malicious commands across domains, or manipulate web resources that should remain isolated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enabled sophisticated attack vectors that could compromise user privacy and system integrity. Remote attackers could potentially harvest sensitive information from users' browsing sessions, manipulate web applications, or establish persistent access points through malicious extensions that were granted elevated privileges. The vulnerability created a pathway for attackers to bypass security controls that protect against cross-site scripting attacks and other web-based exploits, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with untrusted websites. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1170, which involves the use of application sandbox escapes or privilege escalation techniques to bypass security restrictions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patching of Chrome installations to version 51.0.2704.63 or later, which implemented proper access control mechanisms within the extensions subsystem. Organizations should have enforced strict extension management policies, limited extension permissions to only those required for functionality, and regularly audited installed extensions for suspicious behavior. Browser security teams recommended disabling unnecessary extensions, implementing content security policies, and monitoring for unusual cross-origin requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing layered security approaches that reduce the attack surface available to malicious actors. Security professionals emphasized the need for continuous monitoring of browser extension behavior and the implementation of automated systems to detect and respond to unauthorized cross-origin communication attempts.