CVE-2011-1123 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 9.0.597.107 does not properly restrict access to internal extension functions, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1123 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 9.0.597.107, specifically concerning the improper restriction of access to internal extension functions. This issue falls under the broader category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the browser's extension security model that could potentially allow malicious actors to exploit the system from remote locations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within Chrome's extension architecture, where internal functions intended for restricted use were accessible through improper pathways that should have been protected from external interference.
The technical flaw manifests in how Chrome's extension system handles internal function exposure, creating a scenario where malicious code could potentially access or manipulate functions that should remain confined to the browser's internal processes. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege, where extension components are granted more access rights than necessary for their legitimate operation. The vulnerability allows for the possibility of arbitrary code execution through compromised extensions, as the improper access restrictions enable attackers to leverage these internal functions for malicious purposes. The unspecified impact and remote attack vectors suggest that the flaw could potentially enable a wide range of security consequences including but not limited to data theft, system compromise, or further exploitation of the browser environment.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users of older Chrome versions, as it could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, compromised extensions, or social engineering campaigns that trick users into installing harmful browser extensions. The remote nature of the attack vectors means that users could be compromised without direct interaction with malicious code, simply by visiting compromised websites or downloading extensions from untrusted sources. This vulnerability directly impacts the browser's security model and could potentially lead to complete system compromise if exploited successfully, as the internal extension functions may provide access to sensitive system resources or user data that should remain protected.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1123 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to version 9.0.597.107 or later, which would include the necessary security patches to properly restrict access to internal extension functions. Users should also implement additional security measures such as regularly updating browser extensions, avoiding installation of extensions from untrusted sources, and maintaining up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware solutions. Organizations should consider implementing browser hardening policies that restrict extension installation and monitor for suspicious extension behavior. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the ATT&CK technique T1176 for Browser Extensions, as it exploits the browser extension ecosystem to gain unauthorized access to system resources and functionality. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining current browser versions and proper extension management practices to prevent exploitation of such access control vulnerabilities.