CVE-2016-5171 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit/Source/bindings/templates/interface.cpp in Blink, as used in Google Chrome before 53.0.2785.113, does not prevent certain constructor calls, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (use-after-free) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5171 resides within the Blink rendering engine's WebKit implementation, specifically in the interface.cpp file responsible for binding JavaScript interfaces to C++ objects. This flaw affects Google Chrome versions prior to 53.0.2785.113 and represents a critical security issue that demonstrates the complexities inherent in web browser sandboxing and object lifecycle management. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly restrict constructor calls within the JavaScript-to-C++ binding layer, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors to manipulate object references beyond their intended lifetimes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of JavaScript constructor invocations within the Blink engine's binding templates. When certain JavaScript code attempts to invoke constructors through the interface.cpp binding mechanism, the system fails to validate whether these constructor calls should be permitted or restricted. This oversight creates a use-after-free condition where JavaScript objects may be destroyed while still referenced by active JavaScript code, or where the underlying C++ objects are accessed after being freed from memory. The flaw operates at the intersection of JavaScript execution and native code binding, where the boundary between high-level scripting and low-level memory management becomes compromised. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-415 as double free or CWE-476 as null pointer dereference, depending on the specific exploitation vector employed by attackers.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5171 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential code execution capabilities that align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1203 for exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. Remote attackers can craft malicious JavaScript payloads that trigger the vulnerable code path, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the browser context. The use-after-free condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents, potentially allowing them to overwrite critical data structures or inject malicious code into the browser process. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to user security as it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5171 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 53.0.2785.113 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the constructor validation flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, enabling sandboxing features within the browser, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious JavaScript patterns. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual JavaScript execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around constructor calls and object manipulation within the browser's rendering engine. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing layered security approaches that can protect against both known and emerging threats in the complex landscape of modern web browser security.