CVE-2017-5082 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Failure to take advantage of available mitigations in credit card autofill in Google Chrome prior to 59.0.3071.92 for Android allowed a local attacker to take screen shots of credit card information via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5082 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's implementation of credit card autofill functionality on Android devices. This issue stems from the browser's failure to properly implement available security mitigations that would normally prevent unauthorized access to sensitive financial information. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 59.0.3071.92, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the weakness through carefully crafted HTML content. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the browser's approach to protecting sensitive user data during the autofill process, particularly when dealing with credit card information that is typically considered highly confidential.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of Chrome's credit card autofill mechanism through malicious HTML pages that can capture screenshots of sensitive information. Attackers can craft HTML content that triggers the browser's autofill functionality in a way that bypasses normal security restrictions, allowing screen capture operations to access data that should be protected. This represents a failure in the browser's security model and specifically relates to the improper handling of user interface elements that display sensitive financial data. The vulnerability leverages the fact that Chrome's implementation did not adequately protect against automated screen capture operations that could occur during the autofill process, creating a direct pathway for information leakage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local attackers to gain unauthorized access to credit card information without requiring network-based attacks or complex exploitation techniques. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it only requires the victim to visit a malicious website, making it highly accessible to threat actors. The vulnerability affects Android users of Chrome versions prior to 59.0.3071.92, potentially exposing millions of users to financial risk. This flaw creates a persistent threat where sensitive payment information can be captured through simple web-based attacks, undermining the security assumptions that users have when entering credit card details in web forms.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and demonstrates how insufficient protection mechanisms can lead to information disclosure. The attack pattern follows elements of the ATT&CK framework under T1112, which covers "Modify Registry" and related techniques for information gathering, though in this case the information gathering occurs through screen capture rather than registry modification. The flaw also relates to T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques, as the malicious HTML page effectively executes commands that trigger the vulnerable behavior. Organizations should consider this vulnerability when assessing their security posture, particularly regarding mobile browser security and the protection of sensitive user data in web-based applications.
The primary mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Chrome version 59.0.3071.92 or later, which includes proper implementation of security mitigations for credit card autofill functionality. Users should also exercise caution when visiting unfamiliar websites and ensure their browsers are regularly updated to protect against known vulnerabilities. System administrators should monitor for vulnerable browser versions in their environments and ensure timely patch deployment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and security model implementation in web browsers, particularly when handling sensitive user data. Additional protective measures include enabling browser security features, using security extensions, and implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider conducting security awareness training to help users recognize potentially malicious websites that might attempt to exploit such vulnerabilities.