CVE-2016-7395 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
SkPath.cpp in Skia, as used in Google Chrome before 53.0.2785.89 on Windows and OS X and before 53.0.2785.92 on Linux, does not properly validate the return values of ChopMonoAtY calls, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (uninitialized memory access and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted graphics data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7395 resides within the Skia graphics library implementation in Google Chrome browser versions prior to specific patches. This issue manifests in SkPath.cpp file where the software fails to properly validate return values from ChopMonoAtY function calls, creating a potential vector for remote exploitation that can result in system instability and denial of service conditions. The flaw specifically affects Windows and macOS versions before Chrome 53.0.2785.89 and Linux versions before 53.0.2785.92, indicating a widespread impact across multiple operating systems and platforms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the graphics rendering pipeline where the ChopMonoAtY function is responsible for processing path data during graphical operations. When this function returns unexpected values or fails to properly handle edge cases, the calling code in SkPath.cpp does not adequately check these return values before proceeding with subsequent operations. This lack of proper validation leads to uninitialized memory access patterns that can cause unpredictable behavior and application crashes. The vulnerability represents a classic case of inadequate error handling and input validation that can be exploited by malicious actors who craft specially designed graphics content to trigger the problematic code path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness by delivering crafted graphics data through web content, which when rendered by the vulnerable browser triggers the flawed code path. The uninitialized memory access can lead to application crashes that disrupt user experience and potentially provide opportunities for further exploitation. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-248, which addresses "Uncaught Exception" conditions, and represents a failure in proper exception handling within the graphics processing subsystem. The vulnerability also maps to attack techniques within the ATT&CK framework under the "Exploitation for Client Execution" and "Command and Control" domains, as it can be used to establish persistent access through browser-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7395 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of Google Chrome where the return value validation has been properly implemented. System administrators should prioritize deployment of Chrome versions 53.0.2785.89 for Windows and macOS, and 53.0.2785.92 for Linux, as these releases contain the necessary code modifications to prevent the uninitialized memory access. Additionally, organizations can implement network-level controls such as content filtering and web application firewalls to restrict access to potentially malicious graphics content. Browser hardening techniques including sandboxing, privilege separation, and strict content security policies should be enabled to limit the potential impact should the vulnerability be exploited. The fix implemented by Google involved adding proper return value checks for the ChopMonoAtY calls and ensuring that all possible error conditions are handled gracefully within the Skia graphics library implementation.