CVE-2011-1199 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 10.0.648.127 does not properly handle DataView objects, 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 • 01/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1199 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's handling of DataView objects, which are part of the JavaScript ArrayBuffer API used for manipulating binary data. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 10.0.648.127 and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the browser's memory management and object handling mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and proper boundary checking when processing DataView objects, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by remote threat actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of DataView objects within Chrome's JavaScript engine, specifically in how the browser processes memory references and data access patterns. When malicious code attempts to manipulate DataView objects with malformed or unexpected parameters, the browser's memory management system fails to properly validate these operations, leading to potential memory corruption or access violations. This flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and memory safety issues, aligning with CWE-129 and CWE-131 classifications that address buffer overflows and improper handling of buffer boundaries. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in application crashes due to memory access violations, but more concerning is the potential for unspecified other impacts that could include arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to users who rely on Chrome as their primary web browser, as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, phishing campaigns, or compromised web content. The remote exploitation nature means that users do not need to perform any specific actions beyond visiting a malicious website or interacting with compromised content. The denial of service impact can disrupt user productivity and create opportunities for more sophisticated attacks, while the unspecified other impacts suggest potential for more severe consequences including persistent system compromise. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate patch deployment, as Google released version 10.0.648.127 to address the issue through improved validation of DataView object parameters and enhanced memory boundary checking. System administrators should prioritize updating all Chrome installations to the patched versions and implement additional security measures including web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening techniques such as sandboxing, restricted permissions, and monitoring for anomalous JavaScript behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security updates and proper input validation in web browser implementations, particularly in handling low-level memory operations that could lead to system instability or compromise.