CVE-2011-1291 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 10.0.648.204 does not properly handle base strings, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors, related to a "buffer error."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1291 represents a critical buffer error within Google Chrome versions prior to 10.0.648.204 that fundamentally undermines the browser's memory management capabilities. This flaw specifically manifests in the browser's handling of base strings, which are fundamental components used in various web rendering processes including URL parsing, resource loading, and DOM manipulation. The improper management of these base strings creates a condition where maliciously crafted web content can trigger memory corruption that leads to unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and potentially relates to CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows, as the buffer error can occur in both stack and heap memory regions during string processing operations. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to either disrupt browser functionality through denial of service conditions or potentially execute arbitrary code, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where browser stability and security are paramount.
The technical exploitation of this buffer error occurs when Chrome processes malformed base strings that exceed allocated memory boundaries during string operations. Attackers can craft web pages containing specially designed strings that, when processed by the browser's rendering engine, cause memory corruption in the heap or stack segments dedicated to string handling. This memory corruption can manifest as heap corruption when the browser attempts to reallocate memory for string buffers, or stack corruption during function calls that utilize base strings as parameters. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable code execution through memory corruption techniques that align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The buffer error essentially creates a scenario where the browser's memory management system fails to properly validate string lengths and buffer boundaries, allowing attackers to manipulate memory contents in ways that can lead to arbitrary code execution or complete browser compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1291 extends significantly beyond immediate denial of service conditions, as it represents a fundamental flaw in Chrome's memory safety mechanisms that can be leveraged for broader security breaches. Organizations running affected Chrome versions face elevated risk of targeted attacks where adversaries can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user systems, particularly in environments where users frequently access untrusted web content. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that beyond the immediate buffer error, attackers may be able to leverage the memory corruption for privilege escalation, information disclosure, or persistent access mechanisms. From a defensive standpoint, this vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious string patterns before they reach vulnerable browser instances. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of implementing robust memory safety practices and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar buffer-related flaws in browser components that handle user-provided data. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions and consider implementing additional security controls including browser hardening measures and user behavior monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.