Google Chrome up to 52.0.2743 libxml use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.9$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Google Chrome up to 52.0.2743. The affected element is an unknown function of the component libxml. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2016-5131. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Google Chrome up to 52.0.2743 (Web Browser) and classified as critical. This issue affects some unknown functionality of the component libxml. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Use-after-free vulnerability in libxml2 through 2.9.4, as used in Google Chrome before 52.0.2743.82, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to the XPointer range-to function.

The bug was discovered 07/20/2016. The weakness was shared 07/20/2016 by Nick Wellnhofer (Cloudfuzzer) with Tencent as Stable Channel Update, July 2016 as confirmed release notes (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at googlechromereleases.blogspot.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2016-5131 since 05/31/2016. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 12/04/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 92628 (Google Chrome < 52.0.2743.82 Multiple Vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 370091 (Google Chrome Prior to 52.0.2743.82 Multiple Vulnerabilities).

Upgrading to version 52.0.2743.82 eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at chrome.google.com. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The release notes contains the following remark:

This update includes 48 security fixes.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (92628) and SecurityFocus (BID 92053†). The entries VDB-90229, VDB-90230, VDB-90231 and VDB-90232 are related to this item. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.9

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 92628
Nessus Name: Google Chrome < 52.0.2743.82 Multiple Vulnerabilities
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 801105
OpenVAS Name: Apple Mac OS X Multiple Vulnerabilities-01 September-2016
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Chrome 52.0.2743.82

Timelineinfo

05/31/2016 🔍
07/20/2016 +50 days 🔍
07/20/2016 +0 days 🔍
07/20/2016 +0 days 🔍
07/20/2016 +0 days 🔍
07/23/2016 +3 days 🔍
07/23/2016 +0 days 🔍
07/29/2016 +6 days 🔍
12/04/2025 +3415 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: google.com
Product: google.com

Advisory: Stable Channel Update, July 2016
Researcher: Nick Wellnhofer (Cloudfuzzer)
Organization: Tencent
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2016-5131 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2016-5131
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-90239

OVAL: 🔍

SecurityFocus: 92053 - Google Chrome Prior to 52.0.2743.82 Multiple Security Vulnerabilities
SecurityTracker: 1036428

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 07/23/2016 12:08
Updated: 12/04/2025 18:25
Changes: 07/23/2016 12:08 (70), 07/17/2019 15:28 (20), 09/09/2022 10:04 (3), 12/04/2025 18:25 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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