CVE-2011-1292 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the frame-loader implementation in Google Chrome before 10.0.648.204 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1292 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Google Chrome's frame-loader implementation that existed in versions prior to 10.0.648.204. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues and is classified as CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory. The frame-loader component in Chrome is responsible for managing and loading frames within web pages, making it a crucial part of the browser's rendering engine that handles complex web content including nested frames and iframes. When a use-after-free condition occurs, it means that the application continues to reference memory that has already been freed and potentially reallocated, creating a dangerous state that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers can manipulate the frame-loader functionality to trigger a situation where memory is freed but subsequently accessed by the browser engine. This particular flaw allows attackers to craft malicious web content that, when loaded in Chrome, causes the browser to execute code that accesses already freed memory locations. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the CVE description suggest that beyond simple denial of service, this vulnerability could potentially enable remote code execution or other severe consequences depending on the specific memory layout and exploitation techniques employed by attackers. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1292 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire user systems. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor access. The frame-loader component's role in handling complex web content makes it a prime target for exploitation, as it processes various web elements that could be manipulated to trigger the memory corruption. The vulnerability's presence in widely used software like Google Chrome means that successful exploitation could affect millions of users globally, making it a high-priority security concern for organizations and individuals alike. Organizations relying on Chrome for web browsing operations would face significant risk exposure until the vulnerability was patched, as the attack surface was broad and the potential for exploitation was substantial.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patch management. Google released version 10.0.648.204 to address this issue, implementing memory safety improvements in the frame-loader implementation. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of this patch across all affected systems to prevent exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, content filtering solutions, and browser hardening techniques that restrict access to potentially malicious web content. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and the need for robust memory safety practices in browser development. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving memory injection and privilege escalation, with potential TTPs including web-based exploitation and remote code execution through browser vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and user access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.