CVE-2016-5200 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
V8 in Google Chrome prior to 54.0.2840.98 for Mac, and 54.0.2840.99 for Windows, and 54.0.2840.100 for Linux, and 55.0.2883.84 for Android incorrectly applied type rules, which allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5200 represents a critical type confusion flaw within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers. This issue specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 54.0.2840.98 on Mac, 54.0.2840.99 on Windows, 54.0.2840.100 on Linux, and 55.0.2883.84 on Android platforms. The vulnerability stems from improper type rule application within the engine's memory management system, creating conditions where attackers could manipulate object types during runtime execution.
The technical flaw manifests as a type confusion vulnerability classified under CWE-468, where the V8 engine fails to properly validate type information when handling JavaScript objects in memory. When processing crafted HTML content, the engine incorrectly applies type rules that allow malicious code to manipulate object layouts in ways that were not intended by the original type system design. This misapplication enables attackers to corrupt heap memory structures through carefully constructed JavaScript code that exploits the engine's type handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides remote attackers with a pathway to achieve heap corruption, which can lead to arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no local privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it an attractive target for widespread exploitation campaigns.
The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1068 for exploit development. The heap corruption aspect of this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK's T1070.004 for process injection and T1059.007 for script-based attacks. Organizations and users should immediately update to the patched versions of Chrome as specified in the CVE details, as the vulnerability affects multiple operating systems and platforms. The mitigation strategy involves not only updating the browser but also implementing network-based protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, browser hardening techniques including sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms should be enabled to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper type validation in JIT compilers and the need for comprehensive memory safety measures in modern browser engines.