CVE-2011-1113 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 9.0.597.107 on 64-bit Linux platforms does not properly perform pickle deserialization, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1113 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 9.0.597.107 specifically affecting 64-bit Linux platforms. This issue stems from improper handling of pickle deserialization processes within the browser's architecture, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through unspecified attack vectors that result in out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex serialization mechanisms and their potential for exploitation when proper validation and boundary checking mechanisms are absent or insufficient.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in Chrome's pickle deserialization framework which is designed to convert serialized data structures back into executable objects. When processing maliciously crafted pickle data on 64-bit Linux systems, the browser fails to properly validate input boundaries and memory access patterns. This deficiency allows attackers to craft specially formatted data that, when processed by Chrome's deserialization engine, causes the application to read memory locations beyond the intended boundaries. The out-of-bounds read condition typically manifests as memory corruption or application instability, which can be leveraged to trigger denial of service scenarios or potentially more severe exploitation outcomes.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for users running affected Chrome versions on 64-bit Linux systems. The denial of service condition can be triggered remotely through various attack vectors including malicious web pages, compromised websites, or other network-based delivery mechanisms. While the immediate impact appears to be denial of service rather than arbitrary code execution, the vulnerability represents a foundational security weakness that could potentially be chained with other exploits. The Linux platform-specific nature of this vulnerability suggests that 32-bit systems may not be affected, though this requires verification through proper testing procedures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate boundary checking in complex software systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1113 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to update Chrome to version 9.0.597.107 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the pickle deserialization flaw. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to prevent access to known malicious content. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of keeping their browsers updated and avoiding untrusted websites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input buffers, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through input validation weaknesses. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory access patterns or application instability that might indicate exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability underscore the critical importance of proper serialization handling in modern web browsers and the potential for seemingly minor implementation flaws to create significant security risks. This case demonstrates how complex serialization frameworks, while useful for data interchange, require rigorous validation and boundary checking mechanisms to prevent exploitation. Organizations should review their browser security policies and ensure comprehensive patch management procedures are in place to address similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The vulnerability also emphasizes the need for continuous security assessment and the importance of maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify and respond to emerging risks in the browser ecosystem.