CVE-2011-1290 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in WebKit, as used on the Research In Motion (RIM) BlackBerry Torch 9800 with firmware 6.0.0.246, in Google Chrome before 10.0.648.133, and in Apple Safari before 5.0.5, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors related to CSS "style handling," nodesets, and a length value, as demonstrated by Vincenzo Iozzo, Willem Pinckaers, and Ralf-Philipp Weinmann during a Pwn2Own competition at CanSecWest 2011.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1290 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple high-profile web browsers including Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and BlackBerry's proprietary browser implementation. This vulnerability specifically manifests during the processing of CSS style handling operations, where the browser's internal mechanisms for managing nodesets and length values fail to properly validate integer boundaries, creating a condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw was particularly significant because it was demonstrated at the prestigious Pwn2Own competition, indicating that the vulnerability was both exploitable and had real-world implications for users of these widely deployed browsers.
The technical implementation of this integer overflow occurs within the WebKit engine's CSS processing pipeline where length values are manipulated during the rendering of web page elements. When the browser encounters certain CSS properties that involve nodesets and length calculations, the integer arithmetic operations fail to properly check for overflow conditions, allowing malicious input to cause the integer value to wrap around to a negative or excessively large number. This overflow condition directly impacts how memory is allocated and managed within the browser's rendering engine, creating potential memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to severe security implications in browser environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser exploitation as it affects millions of users who rely on these browsers for daily web activities. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected browsers, would trigger the integer overflow condition and subsequently execute attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the browser process. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, as it enables remote code execution through web-based attack vectors. The fact that this vulnerability was demonstrated at a major security conference like CanSecWest indicates that it represented a significant threat to browser security and could potentially be weaponized for widespread attacks against unsuspecting users.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1290 involve immediate patching of affected browser versions, with Google Chrome 10.0.648.133, Apple Safari 5.0.5, and BlackBerry firmware updates addressing the specific integer overflow conditions. Browser vendors implemented various defensive measures including enhanced input validation, improved integer boundary checking, and stricter memory management during CSS processing operations. Security researchers recommend that users immediately update to patched versions of their browsers and avoid visiting untrusted websites until updates are applied. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security testing and the need for robust input validation mechanisms in complex software systems like web browsers that process untrusted content from multiple sources.