CVE-2016-5179 in Chrome OS
Summary
by MITRE
Chrome OS before 53.0.2785.144 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands at boot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5179 represents a critical security flaw in Chrome OS versions prior to 53.0.2785.144 that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands during the boot process. This vulnerability exists within the early boot stages of the operating system where trusted boot mechanisms fail to properly validate system integrity, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to gain unauthorized control before the system fully initializes. The flaw specifically impacts the boot sequence validation mechanisms that are designed to ensure only authenticated and trusted code executes during system startup.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient verification of boot components within the Chrome OS firmware and bootloader implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating boot parameters or injecting malicious code that bypasses the normal boot validation procedures. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level of the operating system's security architecture, where the trust model fails to establish proper authentication checks before executing critical system components. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in boot and firmware environments, and represents a classic case of insufficient privilege separation during system initialization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to gain complete system control before the user has any opportunity to interact with the device. During the boot process, when the system is most vulnerable and least protected, malicious actors can execute commands that may include installing persistent backdoors, modifying system firmware, or establishing unauthorized access points. This capability enables attackers to compromise the entire device without requiring physical access or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Chrome OS devices are deployed in sensitive locations. The vulnerability affects the core security model of Chrome OS and undermines the fundamental assumption that the boot process provides a trusted execution environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5179 primarily involve updating to Chrome OS version 53.0.2785.144 or later, which includes enhanced boot validation mechanisms and improved cryptographic verification of system components. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies that prioritize updates to operating system firmware and bootloader components. Additional protective measures include enabling verified boot features, implementing network segmentation to limit attack surface, and monitoring for anomalous boot behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for suspicious boot-time activities and unauthorized code execution. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining secure boot processes and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1014, which covers rootkit and bootkit detection, emphasizing the need for robust early boot security controls.