CVE-2016-5136 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in extensions/renderer/user_script_injector.cc in the Extensions subsystem in Google Chrome before 52.0.2743.82 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to script deletion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2022
The CVE-2016-5136 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Google Chrome's extensions subsystem, specifically in the user_script_injector.cc component. This vulnerability exists in Chrome versions prior to 52.0.2743.82 and demonstrates how improper memory management in browser extensions can create serious security risks. The flaw occurs during the handling of script deletion operations within the renderer process, where memory allocated to user scripts is freed but subsequently accessed by other components. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the browser's extension framework, which typically has elevated privileges and access to user data, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of memory references when user scripts are removed from the extension system. When a script deletion operation occurs, the memory allocated for that script is freed but the system fails to properly invalidate references to the freed memory block. Remote attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web content that triggers the deletion of user scripts in a specific sequence, causing the system to attempt to access already freed memory locations. This creates a scenario where the browser process may crash due to memory corruption, resulting in denial of service, or potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code if they can control what data is placed in the freed memory space. The renderer process, which handles the display and execution of web content, becomes the primary attack surface for this vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5136 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the browser environment. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise the integrity of the browser's extension system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to user data, session hijacking, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires remote code execution capabilities within the browser context, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1071.004 for application layer protocol. The affected Chrome versions were widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments, amplifying the potential impact. Organizations running vulnerable versions faced significant risk as attackers could leverage this vulnerability through malicious websites, phishing campaigns, or compromised web applications that would trigger the specific memory management conditions necessary for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5136 primarily focus on immediate patching and updating to Chrome version 52.0.2743.82 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary extensions, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms can reduce the attack surface. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around memory access violations and renderer process crashes. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation techniques and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their browser environments, as this type of memory corruption vulnerability often indicates broader security weaknesses in the application's memory management practices.