CVE-2016-5176 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 53.0.2785.113 allows remote attackers to bypass the SafeBrowsing protection mechanism via unspecified vectors.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5176 represents a critical weakness in Google Chrome's SafeBrowsing protection mechanism, which is designed to safeguard users against malicious websites and downloads. This security flaw existed in Chrome versions prior to 53.0.2785.113 and allowed remote attackers to circumvent the browser's built-in security controls that are intended to block access to known malware and phishing sites. The SafeBrowsing feature operates as a fundamental defense layer in modern web browsers, maintaining databases of suspicious URLs and implementing real-time checks to prevent user exposure to harmful content. When this protection mechanism is compromised, users face elevated risks of encountering malicious software, data theft, and other cybersecurity threats that the browser's security architecture was specifically designed to prevent.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves unspecified vectors that enabled attackers to bypass the SafeBrowsing checks without requiring user interaction or explicit consent. This type of flaw typically stems from implementation weaknesses in how the browser processes security checks, potentially involving race conditions, logic errors, or improper validation of security indicators. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to deliver harmful content that would normally be blocked by Chrome's security protocols, effectively neutralizing the protection that users expect from their web browser. Such bypass mechanisms often exploit gaps in the security model where legitimate security checks fail to properly validate or enforce access restrictions, creating pathways for attackers to deliver malware or phishing content directly to users' systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5176 extends beyond individual user exposure to encompass broader security implications for organizations and enterprises that rely on Chrome as their primary browser for web-based operations. When SafeBrowsing protections are bypassed, users become vulnerable to various attack vectors including drive-by downloads, credential theft, and malware installation that could lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users frequently access the internet for business purposes, as it undermines the security posture of organizations that depend on browser-level protections to prevent initial compromise. The risk is amplified because users often trust the browser's security features and may not implement additional protective measures when they believe their browser is already providing adequate protection against threats.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Chrome installations to version 53.0.2785.113 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the SafeBrowsing bypass mechanism. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all systems receive security patches promptly, as this vulnerability could be exploited by automated attack tools that scan for outdated browser versions. Additional defensive measures include implementing network-level security controls such as web proxies with content filtering, deploying endpoint protection solutions that provide additional layers of security beyond browser protections, and conducting regular security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable browser versions. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework under techniques related to credential access and malware delivery, highlighting the importance of layered security approaches to prevent exploitation of browser-based security flaws.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and understanding that even well-established security mechanisms can contain implementation flaws that require continuous monitoring and updating. The SafeBrowsing protection mechanism, classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and potentially CWE-345 (Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity), represents a fundamental security control that when compromised can lead to widespread user exposure. Organizations should consider implementing automated patch management systems and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in real-world attacks. The incident underscores the necessity of treating browser security as a critical component of overall cybersecurity strategy rather than relying solely on user awareness or basic security education.