CVE-2011-1189 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 10.0.648.127 does not properly perform box layout, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors that lead to a "stale node."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1189 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's rendering engine that affects versions prior to 10.0.648.127. This issue stems from improper handling of box layout operations within the browser's document object model processing, creating a condition where malformed or specially crafted web content can trigger unexpected behavior in the browser's rendering pipeline. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the browser encounters certain combinations of CSS properties and HTML elements that result in incorrect memory management during layout calculations. The underlying technical root cause involves the browser's failure to properly validate or clean up node references within its internal rendering structures, leading to what cybersecurity analysts term "stale node" conditions where memory references become invalid while still being accessed by the rendering engine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially encompass more severe security implications that could be leveraged for additional attacks. When remote attackers exploit this flaw through carefully constructed web pages, they can trigger memory corruption issues that may result in browser crashes, rendering the application unusable for legitimate users. However, the unspecified other impacts referenced in the CVE description suggest that this vulnerability could potentially be weaponized for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or code execution within the browser sandbox. The stale node condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures in ways that could bypass security boundaries or allow for arbitrary code execution, particularly when combined with other browser vulnerabilities or exploitation techniques.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially relates to CWE-122, heap-based buffer overflow, where improper memory management leads to unstable system behavior. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Chrome's widespread adoption and the fact that users frequently encounter web content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern browser security architectures where rendering engines must balance performance optimization with memory safety, particularly when handling complex CSS layouts and dynamic content modifications. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1203 technique for "Exploitation for Client Execution" and potentially T1059 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" if exploitation leads to further compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1189 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 10.0.648.127 or later where the rendering engine fixes have been implemented. System administrators should prioritize patch management for all Chrome installations, particularly in enterprise environments where browser security is critical. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious content patterns, enabling browser security features such as sandboxing and content security policies, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications that users may access through Chrome. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, as the stale node condition may produce detectable network traffic patterns or system behavior anomalies that can be used for early warning detection. Regular security awareness training for users about avoiding untrusted websites and suspicious content remains essential in mitigating the risk of successful exploitation.