CVE-2011-1115 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 9.0.597.107 does not properly render tables, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors that lead to a "stale pointer."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1115 affects Google Chrome versions prior to 9.0.597.107 and relates to improper table rendering mechanisms within the browser's rendering engine. This flaw manifests when the browser processes HTML table structures, creating conditions where memory management becomes compromised. The issue stems from how Chrome handles table elements during the rendering process, specifically when dealing with dynamic table modifications or complex table hierarchies that trigger memory pointer inconsistencies.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted HTML content that manipulates table structures in ways that cause the browser's rendering engine to maintain references to memory locations that have already been freed or reallocated. This stale pointer condition represents a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can lead to unpredictable behavior. When the browser attempts to access these invalid memory references during table rendering operations, it can result in application crashes or potentially allow for more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to users of affected Chrome versions as it can be leveraged for denial of service attacks by simply visiting malicious websites containing crafted table elements. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description suggest potential for more severe consequences beyond simple service disruption, including possible code execution or privilege escalation scenarios that could be exploited by attackers. The vulnerability's remote nature means that users need only visit compromised websites to be affected, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised web applications.
The flaw aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-476: "NULL Pointer Dereference" categories, indicating memory safety issues within the browser's table rendering implementation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under TA0005: "Defense Evasion" when used to bypass security controls, and potentially T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" when exploited to execute malicious code. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in web browsers, where rendering engine flaws can create attack vectors that extend far beyond simple display issues.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Chrome version 9.0.597.107 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the table rendering memory management issues. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious table structures. Browser hardening measures including sandboxing and strict content security policies can provide additional defense layers. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be enforced to prevent exploitation of similar rendering engine vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for continuous security testing of browser rendering engines and proper memory management practices in complex web applications.