CVE-2016-1675 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 51.0.2704.63, allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy by leveraging the mishandling of Document reattachment during destruction, related to FrameLoader.cpp and LocalFrame.cpp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1675 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's Blink rendering engine that existed prior to version 51.0.2704.63. This issue stems from improper handling of document reattachment processes during the destruction phase of web page elements, specifically within the FrameLoader.cpp and LocalFrame.cpp components of the browser's architecture. The flaw allows remote attackers to circumvent the fundamental Same Origin Policy that serves as a cornerstone of web security by exploiting the way the browser manages document lifecycle events.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of document objects during their destruction sequence, where the browser fails to properly validate or restrict access to resources that should remain isolated between different origins. When a document is destroyed and subsequently reattached to a new frame context, the system does not adequately enforce the security boundaries that normally prevent cross-origin access. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for malicious actors to access content from different domains that would normally be restricted by the browser's security model.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users browsing the web, as it enables attackers to perform cross-site scripting attacks and potentially access sensitive data from other origins. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the browser environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core rendering engine level, making it difficult to detect and exploit through conventional security measures.
The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern resource access in web browsers. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors to create more comprehensive exploitation scenarios. Organizations and individuals should prioritize updating to Chrome version 51.0.2704.63 or later, as this release includes the necessary patches to address the document reattachment handling issues. Additionally, implementing network-level security controls such as content filtering and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures while awaiting full patch deployment across all systems.