CVE-2010-3256 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 6.0.472.53 does not properly limit the number of stored autocomplete entries, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3256 affects Google Chrome versions prior to 6.0.472.53, specifically addressing a flaw in the browser's autocomplete functionality that fails to properly enforce limits on stored entries. This issue resides within the browser's form filling and data persistence mechanisms that are designed to enhance user experience by remembering previously entered information such as usernames, passwords, and other form data. The vulnerability represents a potential security risk that could be exploited to consume excessive system resources or potentially enable other attack vectors through the manipulation of stored data.
The technical flaw manifests in the browser's inability to effectively manage the quantity of autocomplete entries that can be stored in memory and persistent storage. This lack of proper resource limitation allows malicious actors to potentially flood the autocomplete database with excessive entries, leading to resource exhaustion or performance degradation. The vulnerability falls under the category of resource exhaustion attacks where an attacker can manipulate the browser's storage mechanisms to consume memory or processing power beyond normal operational limits. The unspecified impact and attack vectors indicate that the flaw could potentially enable various malicious activities depending on how the stored entries are subsequently processed or accessed by the browser.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could significantly impact system performance and user experience, particularly in environments where multiple users or applications interact with the browser. The excessive storage of autocomplete entries could lead to memory leaks, slow browser performance, and potentially create conditions where legitimate browser functionality is degraded. The flaw may also enable more sophisticated attacks such as cache poisoning or data manipulation techniques that exploit the lack of proper entry limiting mechanisms. The vulnerability could be particularly concerning in enterprise environments where browser stability and resource management are critical for maintaining operational efficiency.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Google Chrome version 6.0.472.53 or later, which includes proper implementation of limits on stored autocomplete entries. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect unusual patterns in browser resource consumption that might indicate exploitation attempts. Browser hardening practices including restricting browser storage capabilities and implementing proper access controls can help reduce the potential impact. Additionally, regular security assessments of browser configurations and user behavior monitoring can help identify and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-770, which addresses the improper restriction of resources, and could potentially map to ATT&CK techniques related to resource exhaustion and privilege escalation through browser manipulation.