CVE-2016-5152 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the opj_tcd_get_decoded_tile_size function in tcd.c in OpenJPEG, as used in PDFium in Google Chrome before 53.0.2785.89 on Windows and OS X and before 53.0.2785.92 on Linux, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JPEG 2000 data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2016-5152 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the OpenJPEG library's tcd.c component, specifically in the opj_tcd_get_decoded_tile_size function. This issue affects PDFium, the rendering engine used by Google Chrome, creating a potential vector for remote code execution and denial of service attacks. The flaw manifests when processing crafted JPEG 2000 image data, which can trigger memory corruption through heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, with specific version thresholds indicating the affected Chrome releases. This integer overflow occurs during the decoding process when the function fails to properly validate input parameters, allowing malicious data to cause unexpected behavior in memory allocation operations. The flaw falls under CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design that enables attackers to manipulate integer values beyond their intended range. The technical exploitation requires crafting specific JPEG 2000 data structures that trigger the overflow condition during tile size calculation, potentially leading to memory corruption that could be leveraged for more severe attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it creates opportunities for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. When the opj_tcd_get_decoded_tile_size function processes malformed input data, the integer overflow can result in heap corruption that may allow attackers to control program execution flow. This vulnerability particularly affects web browsers that utilize PDFium for rendering PDF documents containing embedded JPEG 2000 images, making it a significant threat in web-based attack scenarios. The memory corruption can manifest through various attack vectors including web pages, PDF documents, or any application that processes JPEG 2000 formatted data through the vulnerable OpenJPEG library. The heap-based buffer overflow creates conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code within the browser context. The flaw's presence in widely deployed software components makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through common web browsing activities without requiring specialized knowledge or tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5152 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions with the security updates released by Google. Organizations should implement network-based protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block malicious JPEG 2000 content from entering their networks. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to Chrome versions 53.0.2785.89 for Windows and macOS, and 53.0.2785.92 for Linux, which contain the necessary fixes for the integer overflow condition. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing sandboxing measures and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper integer handling in cryptographic and image processing libraries, emphasizing the need for comprehensive code reviews and security testing. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory allocation patterns or buffer overflow attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of third-party libraries and components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, as integer overflows remain a prevalent class of security flaws in software systems. The fix implemented by Google involved proper bounds checking and integer overflow prevention mechanisms within the OpenJPEG library's tile size calculation functions, addressing the root cause of the vulnerability through defensive programming practices.