CVE-2016-5185 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Blink in Google Chrome prior to 54.0.2840.59 for Windows, Mac, and Linux; 54.0.2840.85 for Android incorrectly allowed reentrance of FrameView::updateLifecyclePhasesInternal(), which allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via crafted HTML pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5185 represents a critical memory safety issue within the Blink rendering engine used by Google Chrome across multiple platforms. This flaw specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 54.0.2840.59 on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, as well as versions prior to 54.0.2840.85 on Android devices. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of frame lifecycle management within the rendering engine, creating a condition where the system allows reentrancy during the execution of FrameView::updateLifecyclePhasesInternal() function.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition or recursive execution scenario where the FrameView::updateLifecyclePhasesInternal() method can be called multiple times before the previous execution completes. This reentrance behavior creates a predictable pattern that malicious actors can exploit through carefully crafted HTML content. When the rendering engine processes these malicious pages, it triggers the vulnerable code path where memory operations occur without proper bounds checking, leading to an out of bounds memory read condition. The attacker can manipulate the memory layout to access sensitive data or potentially execute arbitrary code depending on the memory access pattern and system configuration.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant remote code execution risk that can be exploited through web browsers without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The out of bounds memory read allows attackers to potentially extract information from adjacent memory locations, which could include sensitive data such as encryption keys, credentials, or other confidential information. The impact extends across all supported platforms where Chrome is installed, making it particularly dangerous as it affects both desktop and mobile environments. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of an array index, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as the vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution capabilities. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1557.001 for proxying through the browser, as it can be leveraged to establish further malicious activities through compromised browser sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5185 primarily involve updating Chrome to versions 54.0.2840.59 or later on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, and versions 54.0.2840.85 or later on Android devices. Organizations should implement immediate patch management protocols to ensure all Chrome installations are updated across their networks. Additionally, network administrators can deploy web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains until updates are applied. Browser security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that unnecessary features are disabled, and sandboxing mechanisms are properly enabled. System administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through network logs and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of affected Chrome versions within the organization's infrastructure.