CVE-2016-5170 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit/Source/bindings/modules/v8/V8BindingForModules.cpp in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 53.0.2785.113, does not properly consider getter side effects during array key conversion, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (use-after-free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted Indexed Database (aka IndexedDB) API calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5170 resides within the Blink rendering engine's V8 binding implementation for modules, specifically in the file WebKit/Source/bindings/modules/v8/V8BindingForModules.cpp. This flaw affects Google Chrome versions prior to 53.0.2785.113 and represents a critical security issue that demonstrates the complex interplay between JavaScript engine bindings and web API implementations. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes array key conversion operations within the Indexed Database API context, creating a scenario where improper handling of getter side effects can lead to severe consequences.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of getter side effects during array key conversion processes. When JavaScript objects with getter properties are converted to array keys within the IndexedDB API framework, the binding layer fails to properly account for potential side effects that might occur during getter execution. This oversight creates a race condition where the object reference may be prematurely deallocated while getter functions are still executing, leading to use-after-free conditions. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the intersection of multiple security boundaries, involving both the JavaScript engine's memory management and the web platform's database API implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Remote attackers can craft malicious IndexedDB API calls that trigger the vulnerable code path, causing the browser to execute arbitrary code or crash entirely. The use-after-free condition creates opportunities for memory corruption that could be exploited to execute malicious payloads, making this a significant threat to user security. The vulnerability affects the entire Chrome browser ecosystem and impacts users who interact with web applications that utilize IndexedDB storage mechanisms, which are commonly employed for client-side data persistence in modern web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 53.0.2785.113 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly handle getter side effects during array key conversion. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as content security policies that limit IndexedDB usage where possible, and deploy web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious API call patterns. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify applications that might be vulnerable to this type of attack, particularly those that heavily utilize IndexedDB for data storage and retrieval. Additionally, browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features and implementing strict origin policies can help reduce the attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-415 which addresses double free errors and CWE-476 which covers null pointer dereferences, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation through memory corruption and code execution in browser contexts.