CVE-2016-5144 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The Developer Tools (aka DevTools) subsystem in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 52.0.2743.116, mishandles the script-path hostname, remoteBase parameter, and remoteFrontendUrl parameter, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted URL, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-5143.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-5144 represents a critical access control flaw within the Developer Tools subsystem of Blink engine, which powers Google Chrome and other web browsers. This issue specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 52.0.2743.116 and stems from improper handling of script-path hostname parameters within the DevTools functionality. The flaw manifests when the remoteBase and remoteFrontendUrl parameters are manipulated in crafted URLs, creating a pathway for remote attackers to circumvent intended security restrictions that typically govern access to developer debugging interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the mismanagement of hostname validation within the Blink rendering engine's developer tools component. When users access the DevTools interface through specific URL parameters, the system fails to properly validate the hostnames associated with script paths, allowing attackers to construct malicious URLs that bypass normal access controls. This misconfiguration enables unauthorized access to debugging interfaces that should remain restricted to legitimate development environments, potentially exposing sensitive information or enabling further exploitation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential attack vector for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain access to debugging interfaces that might reveal internal application structures, sensitive debugging information, or provide a foothold for additional attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core browser engine and can be triggered through standard web browsing activities, making it difficult to detect and prevent. This weakness aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation in security-critical components.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability differs from CVE-2016-5143, indicating that attackers can leverage multiple related flaws to achieve broader access control bypasses. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation and hostname checking within browser components that provide debugging capabilities. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions and implement network-level monitoring to detect suspicious URL patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of browser developer tools, as these components often contain powerful features that can be weaponized when access controls are improperly implemented. Mitigation strategies should include network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments of browser-based applications.