CVE-2011-0982 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome before 9.0.597.94 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors involving SVG font faces.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0982 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 9.0.597.94 that specifically targets the browser's handling of Scalable Vector Graphics font faces. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating potential for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The issue manifests within Chrome's rendering engine when processing SVG font files, which are commonly used for web typography and graphical elements. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been deallocated by the program.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves remote attackers who can craft malicious SVG font files that trigger the memory management error during browser rendering operations. When Chrome processes these specially crafted font files, the browser's memory management system attempts to access freed memory locations, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior. The attack vector leverages the browser's SVG rendering capabilities and font handling mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through memory corruption attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0982 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the use-after-free condition could potentially enable remote code execution in certain circumstances. While the exact nature of the unspecified other impacts remains undetermined, the potential for arbitrary code execution makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments and users who frequently visit untrusted websites. The vulnerability affects a broad user base since SVG font support is widely implemented across modern web standards and browsers, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit web browser vulnerabilities. Organizations using older versions of Chrome were particularly at risk as the fix required immediate patching to prevent exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of Chrome browsers to version 9.0.597.94 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes to prevent the use-after-free condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all browser installations remain current with security updates. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SVG content, configuring browser security policies to restrict font loading from untrusted sources, and employing sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in browser development, as it demonstrates how seemingly benign web features can become attack vectors when memory safety is not properly enforced.