CVE-2016-1701 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The Autofill implementation in Google Chrome before 51.0.2704.79 mishandles the interaction between field updates and JavaScript code that triggers a frame deletion, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (use-after-free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1690.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1701 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Google Chrome's Autofill implementation that existed prior to version 51.0.2704.79. This issue stems from improper handling of field update interactions when JavaScript code executes frame deletion operations, creating a dangerous race condition that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser rendering engine behavior and JavaScript execution environments, where the timing of asynchronous operations creates exploitable memory management gaps. The flaw specifically affects Chrome's form autofill system which is designed to automatically populate web forms with previously entered user data, making it a prime target for exploitation given its widespread use and integration with web page functionality.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the complex interaction between Chrome's rendering engine and JavaScript execution context when processing form elements. When a web page contains JavaScript code that triggers frame deletion while simultaneously updating form fields, the Autofill system fails to properly manage memory references. This creates a scenario where memory allocated to form field data structures can be freed while JavaScript code continues to reference those locations, resulting in a use-after-free condition. The flaw is particularly insidious because it leverages legitimate browser functionality and JavaScript capabilities that are commonly used on web pages, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious code execution. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which is classified as a serious memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1701 extends beyond simple denial of service attacks to potentially enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques that align with ATT&CK framework tactics. Remote attackers can craft malicious websites that trigger the vulnerable code path, leading to unpredictable behavior including browser crashes, system instability, and potentially full system compromise. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2016-1690 demonstrates how seemingly distinct flaws in browser components can be interconnected, suggesting that exploitation of one vulnerability may facilitate access to others within the same software ecosystem. The use-after-free condition can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code through memory corruption techniques, making it particularly dangerous for users who frequently interact with web forms or have Chrome configured with autofill features enabled. This vulnerability affects all users of affected Chrome versions regardless of their security awareness or technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1701 primarily focus on immediate software updates and browser security hardening measures. Users should upgrade to Chrome version 51.0.2704.79 or later where the vulnerability has been patched through proper memory management implementation and race condition resolution. Browser vendors should implement additional safeguards such as address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and heap metadata validation to reduce exploitability of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability. The patch for this vulnerability typically includes enhanced synchronization mechanisms between JavaScript execution contexts and browser rendering engine components, ensuring proper memory lifecycle management during concurrent operations. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual browser behavior patterns, including unexpected crashes, memory allocation errors, or abnormal JavaScript execution sequences that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that browser security configurations remain effective against evolving threat landscapes.