CVE-2016-5210 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Heap buffer overflow during TIFF image parsing in PDFium in Google Chrome prior to 55.0.2883.75 for Mac, Windows and Linux, and 55.0.2883.84 for Android allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted PDF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5210 represents a critical heap buffer overflow flaw within the PDFium library component of Google Chrome browsers. This issue specifically manifests during the parsing of TIFF image formats embedded within PDF documents, creating a potential exploitation vector for remote attackers. The vulnerability affects multiple operating systems including Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android platforms, with the affected versions being Chrome prior to 55.0.2883.75 for desktop platforms and 55.0.2883.84 for Android devices. The flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking during the processing of TIFF image data structures, allowing maliciously crafted PDF files to trigger memory corruption conditions that could lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. During TIFF image parsing operations, PDFium fails to properly validate the size and structure of image data before attempting to copy or process it into heap-allocated buffers. This oversight creates a scenario where attacker-controlled input can overflow the intended buffer space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program state information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because TIFF format parsing occurs within the context of PDF rendering, meaning that simply opening a malicious PDF file could trigger the exploit without requiring user interaction beyond the initial document opening.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5210 extends beyond simple remote code execution capabilities to encompass broader system compromise potential. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could achieve complete system control through carefully crafted PDF files that exploit the heap corruption to redirect program execution flow. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF documents are commonly shared via email, web downloads, and document repositories where users may inadvertently open malicious content. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence across multiple platforms means that organizations cannot rely on operating system-specific mitigations, requiring comprehensive patch management across all affected Chrome installations. The exploit potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves gaining access to systems through remote access tools and exploitation of browser vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5210 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser version updates to ensure affected systems receive the necessary security fixes. Organizations should prioritize updating Chrome installations to versions 55.0.2883.75 or later for desktop platforms and 55.0.2883.84 for Android devices, as these releases contain the specific memory validation fixes required to prevent the heap overflow condition. Network security teams should implement additional protective measures including PDF file scanning, web application firewalls, and content filtering systems that can detect and block suspicious PDF content before it reaches end-user systems. Furthermore, browser hardening configurations should be implemented to restrict PDF processing capabilities and limit the attack surface through sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation. System administrators should also consider implementing automated patch management solutions to ensure consistent and timely deployment of security updates across all affected platforms, as the vulnerability's cross-platform nature requires comprehensive coverage to prevent exploitation attempts targeting specific operating systems or device types.