CVE-2017-15402 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Using an ID that can be controlled by a compromised renderer which allows any frame to overwrite the page_state of any other frame in the same process in Navigation in Google Chrome on Chrome OS prior to 62.0.3202.74 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical sandbox escape flaw in Google Chrome's navigation handling mechanism on Chrome OS systems. The issue stems from improper validation of frame identifiers within the browser's renderer process, allowing malicious actors with compromised renderer access to manipulate page_state data structures across different frames within the same process. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome OS versions prior to 62.0.3202.74, where the security boundaries between frames were insufficiently enforced. The flaw operates through a carefully crafted HTML page that exploits the predictable nature of frame identification mechanisms, enabling an attacker to overwrite critical state information belonging to other frames. This cross-frame state manipulation creates a pathway for privilege escalation and potential sandbox breakout, as the compromised renderer can manipulate the execution context of other frames without proper isolation. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1068, involving exploit for privilege escalation through process injection and memory manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the browser's navigation subsystem failing to properly validate or sanitize frame identifiers before allowing state modifications. When a renderer process becomes compromised, an attacker can leverage the predictable frame ID mechanism to target specific page_state structures belonging to other frames within the same process space. The exploitation requires the attacker to first gain control of a renderer process, typically through a separate vulnerability or attack vector, but once achieved, the compromised process can manipulate the navigation state of other frames through controlled ID injection. This creates a scenario where frame-specific data structures can be overwritten without proper access control checks, effectively allowing attackers to modify the execution context and memory state of other browser components. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in Chrome's inter-frame communication and state management architecture, particularly within the navigation handling code path that governs how page states transition between different frames.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can effectively break out of the sandboxed renderer process and gain access to other frames within the same process, potentially accessing sensitive data or executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond the initial compromise of a renderer process, making it particularly dangerous in environments where attackers may already have achieved initial access through other means. The vulnerability's exploitation capability allows for the creation of persistent backdoors or the establishment of command and control channels that can operate outside normal browser security boundaries. This makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Chrome OS devices may be used for sensitive operations or contain confidential information. The potential for information disclosure, data manipulation, and system compromise creates a significant risk that extends beyond the immediate browser environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to Chrome OS versions 62.0.3202.74 or later, where the navigation state management has been properly hardened to prevent cross-frame state manipulation. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Chrome OS devices receive security updates promptly, particularly in environments where device security is paramount. Network administrators should monitor for indicators of compromise that may suggest exploitation attempts, including unusual network traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security implementations and underscores the need for robust process isolation mechanisms. Additional defensive measures include implementing browser hardening policies, restricting unnecessary browser features, and monitoring for suspicious browser behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent unauthorized state modifications within browser processes, as well as establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle browser-based sandbox escape scenarios. Regular security assessments of browser environments and monitoring of known exploit patterns can help identify potential exploitation attempts before they succeed in compromising system integrity.