CVE-2017-5010 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Blink in Google Chrome prior to 56.0.2924.76 for Linux, Windows and Mac, and 56.0.2924.87 for Android, resolved promises in an inappropriate context, which allowed a remote attacker to inject arbitrary scripts or HTML (UXSS) via a crafted HTML page.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5010 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Blink rendering engine that powers Google Chrome across multiple platforms. This issue specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 56.0.2924.76 on Linux, Windows, and Mac operating systems, as well as version 56.0.2924.87 on Android devices. The flaw resides in how the browser handles resolved promises within its JavaScript execution environment, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted HTML pages that can execute arbitrary code in the context of the victim's browser.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of JavaScript promises within the Blink engine's execution context. When a promise resolves, the browser's internal mechanisms should maintain proper security boundaries to prevent unauthorized code execution. However, in affected versions, the promise resolution process occurred in an inappropriate execution context that allowed malicious scripts to manipulate the browser's rendering and execution flow. This mismanagement of execution contexts creates a condition where attackers can inject HTML content that gets processed and executed as part of the legitimate page rendering process, effectively bypassing standard security mechanisms that should prevent such cross-site scripting attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote code execution through simple web page visits without requiring any user interaction beyond navigating to a malicious site. An attacker could craft a malicious HTML page that leverages the promise resolution flaw to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to full system compromise. This vulnerability specifically enables a form of UXSS (User eXecution Scripting) that can be exploited to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of users, redirect traffic, or even install malware on affected systems. The cross-platform nature of this vulnerability means that users across different operating systems and device types are equally at risk, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and specifically demonstrates characteristics of CWE-352 which deals with cross-site request forgery, though the primary classification is UXSS. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing techniques, as attackers could leverage this flaw in social engineering campaigns. The remediation strategy involves updating to the patched versions of Chrome where the promise resolution context has been properly secured, ensuring that resolved promises execute within appropriate security boundaries that prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and other defensive measures can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future, though the primary mitigation remains the software update to patched versions. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the security patches across all affected systems to prevent exploitation of this critical vulnerability.