CVE-2016-5141 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 52.0.2743.116, allows remote attackers to spoof the address bar via vectors involving a provisional URL for an initially empty document, related to FrameLoader.cpp and ScopedPageLoadDeferrer.cpp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-5141 represents a critical browser security flaw affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 52.0.2743.116. This issue resides within the Blink rendering engine that powers Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers, specifically exploiting how the browser handles provisional URLs during document loading processes. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate the address bar display, creating a deceptive user interface that can mislead users about the true destination of web content they are interacting with.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the interaction between FrameLoader.cpp and ScopedPageLoadDeferrer.cpp components within Chrome's architecture. When a browser navigates to a new page, it initially creates an empty document before loading the actual content. During this provisional loading phase, the browser maintains a temporary URL that should not be visible to users. However, the flaw allows attackers to leverage this provisional URL to display misleading information in the address bar, effectively bypassing normal security mechanisms that should prevent such spoofing.
This vulnerability operates under the broader category of user interface deception attacks, which fall under CWE-611 (Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference) and more specifically relate to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery) classifications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it exploits the fundamental trust users place in browser address bar information, which is typically considered a reliable indicator of website authenticity.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5141 extends beyond simple visual deception, as it can be leveraged for sophisticated phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that initially appear to load legitimate content while actually displaying false URLs in the address bar, potentially leading users to unknowingly submit sensitive information to malicious sites. This vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on visual cues from the address bar to verify website authenticity before entering credentials or personal data.
From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1056.001 (Input Capture) and T1566 (Phishing) tactics. The ability to spoof address bar information significantly increases the effectiveness of phishing campaigns by making them appear more legitimate to victims. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a failure in Chrome's security model for handling provisional page states, where the browser should never expose temporary URLs to end users during navigation processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5141 require immediate browser updates to versions 52.0.2743.116 and later, where Google implemented fixes that properly isolate provisional URLs from user-facing address bar displays. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as browser hardening policies, regular security assessments, and user education programs about recognizing phishing attempts. Network security controls like web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection, though the primary defense remains keeping browser software updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper state management in browser architectures and highlights how seemingly minor implementation details can create significant security risks when not properly secured against user exposure.