CVE-2011-0471 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The node-iteration implementation in Google Chrome before 8.0.552.237 and Chrome OS before 8.0.552.344 does not properly handle pointers, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0471 represents a critical flaw in the node-iteration implementation within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 8.0.552.237 and Chrome OS versions before 8.0.552.344. This issue stems from improper pointer handling mechanisms that govern how the browser processes and manages DOM (Document Object Model) node structures during iterative operations. The flaw exists at the core level of Chrome's rendering engine where pointer management during node traversal operations fails to maintain proper memory references, creating potential exploitation vectors for remote attackers. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-121 as a buffer overflow condition, specifically involving improper pointer management during iterative processes within web browser environments. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers in ways that can disrupt normal browser operations or potentially execute arbitrary code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious web content that triggers specific node-iteration patterns within Chrome's JavaScript engine or DOM processing modules. During normal browser operation, when iterating through DOM nodes, the browser maintains pointer references to track node relationships and memory locations. However, the flawed implementation fails to properly validate or sanitize these pointer operations, allowing attackers to manipulate the iteration process through crafted HTML or JavaScript code. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description suggest potential for more severe consequences beyond simple denial of service, including possible code execution or privilege escalation within the browser sandbox. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various delivery methods including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web applications that trigger the problematic node-iteration code paths.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0471 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, presenting significant risks to user security and system integrity. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause browsers to crash or freeze, effectively denying users access to web content and potentially leading to complete browser session termination. The potential for unspecified other impacts indicates that attackers may be able to leverage this weakness to achieve more sophisticated attacks, including information disclosure, privilege escalation, or even remote code execution within the browser environment. This vulnerability affects not only individual user systems but also enterprise environments where Chrome browsers are widely deployed, creating potential for large-scale service disruption and security compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Chrome was one of the most widely used browsers at the time, with millions of users potentially exposed to this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0471 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates to ensure users are protected against exploitation attempts. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Chrome installations to versions 8.0.552.237 or later, and Chrome OS devices to version 8.0.552.344 or higher. Additionally, security administrators should implement network-level protections including web filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious content patterns that might exploit this vulnerability. Browser hardening techniques should include enabling sandboxing features and restricting JavaScript execution in untrusted contexts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and pointer management in software development practices, particularly for browser vendors and web application developers. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their browser environments and implement security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing layered security approaches to protect against sophisticated browser-based attacks. The remediation process should also include user education regarding safe browsing practices and the importance of keeping software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.