CVE-2011-0781 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 9.0.597.84 does not properly handle autofill profile merging, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0781 affects Google Chrome versions prior to 9.0.597.84 and relates to improper handling of autofill profile merging functionality. This flaw exists within the browser's form data management system where user information such as names, addresses, and contact details are stored and retrieved for automatic form filling. The issue stems from inadequate validation and processing mechanisms when multiple autofill profiles are merged or updated within the browser's data store. The vulnerability's impact remains unspecified, suggesting potential security implications that could range from data exposure to more severe exploitation vectors. The remote attack vector indicates that malicious actors could potentially leverage this weakness through web-based attacks without requiring local system access, making it particularly concerning for web browsing environments where users interact with untrusted content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in how Chrome processes and merges user profile data when multiple entries exist within the autofill database. When the browser encounters conflicting or overlapping profile information during the merging process, the improper handling could result in data corruption, information leakage, or unexpected behavior in the form filling system. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the category of data handling and validation issues that can lead to various security consequences depending on the specific implementation details and the nature of the merged data. The lack of specific impact details in the original description suggests that the flaw may have multiple potential exploitation paths or that the severity assessment was not fully determined at the time of reporting. Such ambiguities in vulnerability descriptions often indicate that the flaw could potentially be leveraged for more serious attacks depending on the context and the specific data being processed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data handling issues as it affects user privacy and browser security. When autofill profiles are improperly merged, users may experience incorrect form filling behavior, potentially exposing sensitive personal information inappropriately. The remote attack capability means that attackers could craft malicious web pages designed to trigger the vulnerable merging logic, potentially leading to data exposure or manipulation. This vulnerability represents a failure in the browser's data integrity mechanisms and could be exploited to gather user information or disrupt normal browser functionality. The issue highlights the importance of proper input validation and data processing in browser applications, particularly those handling sensitive user information. Organizations using affected Chrome versions would be at risk of potential privacy violations and data exposure incidents when users interact with web content that triggers the vulnerable merging functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Chrome version 9.0.597.84 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the autofill profile merging issue. System administrators should prioritize this update across all affected systems and implement automated update mechanisms where possible. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious web activity that might attempt to exploit the vulnerability and ensuring that users are educated about the risks of interacting with untrusted web content. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block attempts to exploit this type of vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and highlights the risks associated with outdated security implementations in client-side applications. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their browser environments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other browser components or third-party extensions. This incident underscores the need for robust input validation and data processing mechanisms in browser applications, particularly those handling user personal information, and aligns with security best practices outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those related to proper data handling and validation as referenced in common weakness enumeration standards.