CVE-2011-1112 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 9.0.597.107 does not properly perform SVG rendering, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1112 represents a critical rendering flaw within Google Chrome's implementation of Scalable Vector Graphics technology. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 9.0.597.107 and demonstrates how improper handling of SVG elements can lead to severe operational consequences. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and processing of SVG content within the browser's rendering engine, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests in Chrome's SVG rendering subsystem where the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize SVG elements during the rendering process. This improper handling allows attackers to craft malicious SVG content that, when processed by the browser, triggers unexpected behavior in the graphics rendering pipeline. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially encompass arbitrary code execution or other unspecified security implications. The underlying cause likely involves memory corruption issues or buffer overflows within the SVG parsing and rendering components, which are categorized under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds reads or CWE-787 as out-of-bounds writes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users who may encounter malicious SVG content through various attack vectors including compromised websites, phishing campaigns, or malicious advertisements. The denial of service aspect can disrupt user productivity and potentially provide attackers with opportunities for further exploitation. The unspecified other impacts suggest that the vulnerability may also enable privilege escalation or information disclosure scenarios, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where browser security is paramount. Organizations relying on Chrome for business operations face potential disruptions when users encounter compromised SVG content, as the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate browsing activities.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate browser updates to versions 9.0.597.107 or later where Google has implemented proper SVG validation and rendering safeguards. System administrators should prioritize patch management to ensure all user endpoints are protected against this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious SVG content, employing content security policies that restrict SVG processing, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications that may be vulnerable to such attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and user education programs to reduce exposure to potentially malicious SVG content.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1203 as Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 as Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through browser-based vectors. The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that SVG content can be embedded directly in web pages, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining current browser versions and implementing comprehensive security controls to protect against sophisticated browser-based attacks. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and maintain awareness of similar rendering flaws that may affect other browser implementations.