CVE-2017-5079 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Inappropriate implementation in Blink in Google Chrome prior to 59.0.3071.86 for Mac, Windows, and Linux, and 59.0.3071.92 for Android, allowed a remote attacker to display UI on a non attacker controlled tab via a crafted HTML page.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5079 represents a significant security flaw within the Blink rendering engine that powers Google Chrome and related browsers. This issue stems from an inadequate implementation that permits remote attackers to manipulate user interface elements in ways that should not be possible. The vulnerability specifically affects multiple platform versions including Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android systems, indicating a widespread impact across the Chrome ecosystem. The flaw manifests when users encounter crafted HTML pages that exploit the improper handling of UI elements within the browser's rendering pipeline.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control and user interface manipulation. The Blink engine's failure to properly validate or restrict UI display operations allows malicious actors to inject or control interface elements on tabs that are not controlled by the attacker. This creates a scenario where a remote attacker can potentially deceive users into interacting with malicious UI components that appear to originate from legitimate tabs. The vulnerability exploits the browser's trust model and fails to properly isolate UI rendering contexts, enabling cross-tab UI manipulation that violates fundamental security boundaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates serious risks for user privacy and security. Users may be misled into believing they are interacting with trusted browser tabs while actually engaging with attacker-controlled UI elements. The potential for phishing attacks, social engineering, and user deception increases significantly as attackers can manipulate the visual interface to appear legitimate. This type of vulnerability can be particularly dangerous when combined with other attack vectors, as it provides attackers with additional means to manipulate user behavior and extract sensitive information. The vulnerability affects all supported platforms, making it a critical concern for organizations and individual users alike.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5079 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to patched versions. Users should promptly upgrade to Chrome versions 59.0.3071.86 for Mac, Windows, and Linux, and 59.0.3071.92 for Android. Organizations should implement automated update policies to ensure all systems receive the necessary security patches. Additionally, security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing browser security policies that restrict UI manipulation capabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 access control issues and could be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving user interface deception and credential access through browser manipulation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious HTML content patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while user education about recognizing potentially malicious browser behavior remains essential for comprehensive protection.