CVE-2017-5022 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, failed to properly enforce unsafe-inline content security policy, which allowed a remote attacker to bypass content security policy via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5022 represents a critical weakness in the Blink rendering engine that powers Google Chrome and Chromium-based browsers across multiple platforms. This flaw specifically targeted the content security policy enforcement mechanism, which serves as a fundamental security control designed to prevent cross-site scripting attacks and other code injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affected 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, demonstrating the widespread impact across the Chrome ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from Blink's improper handling of unsafe-inline content security policy directives. Content security policy represents a crucial browser security feature that allows web administrators to define which sources of content are permitted to execute within a web page. When the policy is properly enforced, it prevents the execution of inline scripts, styles, and other potentially dangerous content that could be injected by attackers. However, this vulnerability allowed remote attackers to bypass these protections by crafting specifically designed HTML pages that could circumvent the policy enforcement mechanisms. The flaw essentially created a backdoor that enabled malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the browser context, despite the presence of content security policies that should have prevented such execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5022 extends beyond simple browser exploitation, as it represents a significant weakening of the security model that users rely on for protection against web-based attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised websites or phishing campaigns, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's remote nature means that users could be exploited simply by visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the browser's role as a security boundary between users and potentially malicious web content.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-16, which describes weaknesses in the design or implementation of security features, and corresponds to techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1211 for exploitation of web applications. Organizations and security teams should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions, as the vulnerability represents a critical risk to web browser security. Mitigation strategies include not only applying the relevant security updates but also implementing additional browser hardening measures such as strict content security policy enforcement, disabling unnecessary browser features, and maintaining comprehensive monitoring for suspicious web activity. The incident underscores the importance of continuous security testing and validation of security controls, particularly for core browser components that serve as the primary interface between users and the internet.