CVE-2016-5169 in Chrome OS
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in Google Chrome OS before 53.0.2785.103 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5169 represents a format string vulnerability within Google Chrome OS versions prior to 53.0.2785.103, classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration as CWE-134 which specifically addresses the use of format strings without proper validation. This flaw exists in the operating system's handling of formatted input data and provides attackers with potential means to manipulate memory operations through crafted input sequences. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the foundational operating system components that power Chromebooks and other Chrome OS devices, making it a critical security concern for organizations relying on these platforms.
The technical implementation of this format string vulnerability occurs when the system processes user-supplied data without adequate sanitization or validation of format specifiers. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that contains format string sequences such as %s, %d, or %x which, when processed by vulnerable functions, can lead to memory corruption or information disclosure. The unspecified nature of the potential impacts suggests that this vulnerability could enable more severe consequences beyond simple denial of service, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation within the operating system environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations deploying Chrome OS devices, as remote attackers can potentially compromise the integrity of these systems without requiring local access or elevated privileges. The attack surface is particularly broad since Chrome OS devices are commonly used in enterprise environments where they handle sensitive data and provide access to corporate networks. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of business operations. Organizations utilizing affected Chrome OS versions face increased exposure to advanced persistent threats that could leverage this weakness to establish persistent access within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5169 primarily involve immediate patching of Chrome OS devices to versions 53.0.2785.103 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes to address the format string vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additionally, organizations may consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making comprehensive defensive measures essential for protecting against advanced exploitation attempts that could leverage this weakness for broader system compromise.