CVE-2017-5042 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Cast in Google Chrome prior to 57.0.2987.98 for Mac, Windows, and Linux and 57.0.2987.108 for Android sent cookies to sites discovered via SSDP, which allowed an attacker on the local network segment to initiate connections to arbitrary URLs and observe any plaintext cookies sent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's handling of cookies within the Simple Service Discovery Protocol environment. The issue affects Chrome versions prior to 57.0.2987.98 for desktop platforms and 57.0.2987.108 for Android devices, creating a significant attack surface through local network exploitation. The vulnerability stems from Chrome's improper cookie management when processing SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) responses, which are typically used for network device discovery and service advertisement.
The technical flaw occurs when Chrome processes SSDP packets containing malicious URLs, allowing the browser to send cookies to these locations without proper security validation. This behavior violates fundamental web security principles by enabling unauthorized cookie transmission to arbitrary network endpoints. The vulnerability specifically impacts how Chrome handles cross-origin requests initiated through SSDP, creating a scenario where local network attackers can manipulate the browser's cookie handling mechanisms. This flaw operates at the intersection of network protocol handling and web security, making it particularly dangerous in local network environments where attackers can potentially intercept and manipulate SSDP traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables man-in-the-middle attacks within local network segments. An attacker positioned on the same network can craft malicious SSDP responses that direct Chrome to send cookies to attacker-controlled servers, effectively compromising user sessions and sensitive authentication data. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information, and specifically manifests as a cookie disclosure issue. The attack vector leverages the attacker's ability to inject malicious network responses, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1566 for credential access through network service discovery.
Mitigation strategies include immediate upgrading to Chrome versions 57.0.2987.98 or later, which implement proper cookie handling for SSDP responses. Network administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual SSDP traffic patterns. The fix addresses the core issue by ensuring that Chrome does not automatically send cookies to URLs discovered through SSDP without explicit user interaction or proper security validation. Organizations should also review their network security policies to prevent unauthorized devices from participating in SSDP discovery mechanisms, reducing the attack surface for such vulnerabilities. This remediation aligns with security best practices for preventing information disclosure and maintaining proper separation between network services and web browser security contexts.