CVE-2016-5207 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
In Blink in Google Chrome prior to 55.0.2883.75 for Mac, Windows and Linux, and 55.0.2883.84 for Android, corruption of the DOM tree could occur during the removal of a full screen element, which allowed a remote attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5207 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Blink rendering engine that powers Google Chrome browsers across multiple platforms. This vulnerability specifically manifests during the process of removing full screen elements from the Document Object Model tree structure, creating a scenario where memory integrity is compromised. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 55.0.2883.75 on Mac, Windows, and Linux systems, as well as version 55.0.2883.84 on Android platforms, demonstrating the widespread nature of the vulnerability across different operating environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during DOM tree manipulation operations. When a full screen element is removed from the document structure, the Blink engine fails to properly handle the memory references associated with the element's removal process, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by malicious actors. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where the improper handling of memory operations during element removal creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents. The flaw essentially creates a condition where the browser's memory management system becomes unstable during specific DOM operations, allowing for potential code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5207 extends beyond simple browser instability, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be exploited through crafted HTML pages delivered via web browsers. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected Chrome versions, trigger the memory corruption during full screen element removal, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it provides a mechanism for executing code within the browser environment. The remote exploitation nature means that users need only visit a compromised website to be vulnerable, making this attack vector particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5207 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions that contain the necessary patches addressing the memory corruption issue. Organizations should prioritize updating all Chrome installations to versions 55.0.2883.75 or later for desktop platforms and 55.0.2883.84 or later for Android devices. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms can further reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security patch management and continuous monitoring of browser security updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities that could lead to complete system compromise.