CVE-2016-1679 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The ToV8Value function in content/child/v8_value_converter_impl.cc in the V8 bindings in Google Chrome before 51.0.2704.63 does not properly restrict use of getters and setters, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (use-after-free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1679 resides within the V8 bindings implementation of Google Chrome, specifically in the ToV8Value function located in content/child/v8_value_converter_impl.cc. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects Chrome versions prior to 51.0.2704.63, where the improper handling of JavaScript getters and setters creates a pathway for malicious code execution. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly restrict the use of these JavaScript language features during the conversion process between C++ and JavaScript objects. The underlying technical flaw manifests when the V8 engine processes JavaScript code that contains crafted getter and setter definitions, leading to improper memory management and object lifecycle handling. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-476 which deals with NULL Pointer Dereference, and it specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution and system compromise. When remote attackers craft malicious JavaScript code that exploits the improper getter and setter handling, they can trigger use-after-free conditions where freed memory locations are accessed, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation. The vulnerability's nature allows attackers to manipulate the V8 engine's internal state through carefully constructed JavaScript objects, potentially enabling privilege escalation or data corruption. The use-after-free condition occurs because the V8ValueConverterImpl does not adequately validate or sanitize the getter and setter properties before processing them, allowing attackers to manipulate object references and memory pointers in ways that were not intended by the original implementation. This creates a significant attack surface that can be leveraged in various exploitation scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1679 primarily focus on immediate remediation through browser updates and implementing additional security controls. Organizations should prioritize updating to Chrome version 51.0.2704.63 or later where the vulnerability has been patched, as this update addresses the core issue in the V8 bindings implementation. Additional defensive measures include implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution, enabling sandboxing mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious JavaScript patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous JavaScript behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The patch addresses the root cause by adding proper validation checks for getter and setter properties during the V8 value conversion process, ensuring that object lifecycles are properly managed and preventing the use-after-free conditions that enabled the vulnerability. Network segmentation and user access controls should also be strengthened to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts.