CVE-2016-5170

What it actually does

Use-after-free in Blink V8 bindings for IndexedDB caused by improper handling of getter side effects during array key conversion, enabling memory corruption that can lead to denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

Why it matters to the business

Users running outdated Chrome versions risk browser crashes or remote code execution when visiting attacker-controlled sites, potentially resulting in data loss, credential theft, or full system compromise; high ecosystem prevalence of legacy Chrome installs increases exposure window.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker hosts a malicious webpage that issues crafted IndexedDB API calls designed to trigger getter side effects; when the victim browser processes the array key conversion, the freed memory is reused, allowing the attacker to corrupt memory and achieve code execution or a crash.

How to fix it

Upgrade Google Chrome to version 53.0.2785.113 or later; disable IndexedDB where feasible via enterprise policy for high-risk environments until patching is complete.

How to confirm the fix worked

Verify Chrome version is 53.0.2785.113 or newer; attempt to reproduce the reported crash with a minimal IndexedDB test case on unpatched builds to confirm exposure.

Typical attack path

1. Serve a malicious webpage to the victim
2. Trigger specific IndexedDB API sequences that invoke getter side effects
3. Force array key conversion to dereference freed memory
4. Leverage resulting corruption for code execution or denial of service

How to detect it

Review browser crash logs and telemetry for IndexedDB-related use-after-free signatures; correlate with web proxy logs showing visits to suspicious domains that heavily exercise IndexedDB APIs.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize immediate rollout of Chrome 53.0.2785.113+ across all managed endpoints
• Monitor for reports of IndexedDB-related crashes in enterprise telemetry
• Enforce auto-update policies and block legacy versions via configuration management