CVE-2016-5128 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
objects.cc in Google V8 before 5.2.361.27, as used in Google Chrome before 52.0.2743.82, does not prevent API interceptors from modifying a store target without setting a property, which allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-5128 represents a critical security flaw within Google V8 JavaScript engine version 5.2.361.27 and earlier, which was utilized in Google Chrome versions prior to 52.0.2743.82. This issue resides in the objects.cc component of the V8 engine, which is responsible for handling JavaScript object operations and memory management. The vulnerability specifically targets the engine's API interceptor mechanism, which is designed to intercept property access and modification operations. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the engine's behavior in ways that should not be permitted under normal security constraints.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from a failure in the V8 engine's security model where API interceptors are not properly constrained when modifying store targets without explicitly setting a property. This creates a scenario where remote attackers can craft malicious web pages that exploit the engine's internal mechanisms to bypass fundamental web security policies. The Same Origin Policy, which is a cornerstone of web security that prevents scripts from one origin from accessing resources from another origin, becomes ineffective when this vulnerability is successfully exploited. This allows attackers to perform cross-origin data access and manipulation that should be strictly prohibited.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security boundaries that protect user data and system integrity. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive information from other origins, potentially compromising user sessions, personal data, and corporate resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the JavaScript engine level, meaning that successful exploitation can lead to complete browser compromise and potential system access. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript and ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through web-based attacks. The vulnerability also maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and CWE-352, which covers cross-site request forgery, though the specific implementation differs in its engine-level exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5128 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Google Chrome versions and updating to V8 engine version 5.2.361.27 or later. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and maintain current security patches across all systems. Additional defensive measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict content security policies, and monitoring for anomalous JavaScript behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper sandboxing mechanisms in JavaScript engines and demonstrates how low-level engine flaws can have cascading effects on higher-level security protections. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and regular security assessments to identify similar potential vulnerabilities in other browser components or third-party libraries that may be susceptible to similar exploitation patterns.