CVE-2011-0483 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 8.0.552.237 and Chrome OS before 8.0.552.344 do not properly perform a cast of an unspecified variable during handling of video, 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-2011-0483 represents a critical type casting issue within Google Chrome versions prior to 8.0.552.237 and Chrome OS versions prior to 8.0.552.344. This flaw occurs during the processing of video content and demonstrates the dangerous implications of improper type handling in multimedia frameworks. The vulnerability falls under the category of software defects that can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability, particularly when dealing with complex media processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an unspecified variable that undergoes improper casting operations during video handling routines. This type casting error creates a potential exploitation vector where remote attackers can manipulate the casting process to trigger unexpected system behavior. The flaw manifests specifically during media processing phases when Chrome attempts to convert data types for video rendering and playback operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially encompass unspecified other impacts, suggesting the possibility of more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users of affected Chrome versions who engage with multimedia content. The remote exploit capability means that malicious actors can trigger the vulnerability through web-based attacks without requiring local system access. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently visit untrusted websites or encounter malicious media content. The denial of service impact disrupts normal browser functionality and user experience, while the unspecified other impacts suggest potential for more severe security consequences that could compromise system integrity.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and potentially relates to CWE-191, concerning integer underflow. These classifications indicate the fundamental nature of the type casting error as a core software defect that can lead to unpredictable behavior. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1499, concerning network denial of service. The attack surface includes web browsing activities and multimedia processing operations, making it a critical concern for both individual users and enterprise environments that rely on Chrome for web-based productivity applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected Chrome versions, ensuring that users upgrade to patched releases that address the type casting issue. Organizations should implement network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious websites and consider browser hardening techniques. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual browser behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular software updates and proper code review processes for multimedia handling components. System administrators should prioritize patch management for Chrome installations and consider implementing browser sandboxing techniques to limit potential impact if exploitation occurs.