CVE-2016-1687 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The renderer implementation in Google Chrome before 51.0.2704.63 does not properly restrict public exposure of classes, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via vectors related to extensions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1687 resides within the renderer implementation of Google Chrome browser versions prior to 51.0.2704.63. This flaw represents a critical information disclosure issue that stems from inadequate restrictions on public exposure of classes within the browser's rendering engine. The vulnerability specifically affects how Chrome handles class exposure in its extension system, creating potential pathways for remote attackers to access sensitive information that should remain protected within the browser's security boundaries. The issue demonstrates a fundamental weakness in Chrome's security model where the renderer process fails to properly enforce access controls on extension-related classes, allowing malicious actors to exploit this gap for information gathering purposes.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of class visibility within Chrome's extension architecture. When Chrome processes extensions, certain classes that should remain internal to the browser's security domain are inadvertently exposed to external access. This exposure occurs during the renderer process execution where extension classes are not properly isolated or restricted from public access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting specific payloads that target these exposed classes, potentially accessing memory addresses, internal browser structures, or other sensitive data that should be protected from external interference. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser security boundaries where extension code interacts with core rendering components, creating an attack surface that violates standard security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Remote attackers who successfully exploit CVE-2016-1687 can gather sensitive information that may aid in subsequent attacks, including browser version details, memory layout information, or extension-specific data that could be used for privilege escalation or further exploitation. This information disclosure creates opportunities for attackers to perform advanced persistent threat operations by understanding the target browser's internal structure and identifying potential additional vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects users across all operating systems where the affected Chrome versions are deployed, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on Chrome for web browsing activities.
Organizations and users should immediately update to Chrome version 51.0.2704.63 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. The fix implemented by Google addresses the class exposure issue by strengthening the renderer's access controls and ensuring that extension-related classes are properly restricted from public exposure. Security administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected Chrome versions and implement immediate remediation measures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter as attackers may use the gathered information to plan more targeted attacks. Additional mitigations include implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious traffic patterns and maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.