CVE-2011-1445 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 11.0.696.57 does not properly handle SVG documents, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1445 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 11.0.696.57, specifically within the browser's handling of Scalable Vector Graphics documents. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory management when processing SVG content, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the browser's rendering engine. The flaw manifests during the parsing and interpretation of malformed SVG elements, where Chrome's underlying code fails to properly bounds-check array accesses or validate element dimensions, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for denial of service attacks. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web standards implementation and memory safety, making it particularly dangerous in the context of modern web browsing where SVG graphics are commonly encountered.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Chrome encounters specially crafted SVG documents that contain malformed or excessively large data structures within their markup. During the rendering process, the browser's SVG parser attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated bounds of arrays or buffers used to store graphical data. This out-of-bounds memory access can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, memory corruption, or potentially more severe consequences if the attacker can manipulate the memory layout. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an "Improper Validation of Array Index" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for "Exploitation for Client Execution" when leveraged in web-based attack scenarios. The issue demonstrates a classic memory safety problem where the browser's SVG handling code does not adequately validate input parameters before processing them.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1445 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the context of a compromised browser environment. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can cause Chrome to crash repeatedly, forcing users to restart their browsers and potentially disrupting productivity. In more advanced attack scenarios, the memory corruption could be leveraged to execute arbitrary code, though the primary documented impact remains denial of service. The vulnerability affects all users of affected Chrome versions and demonstrates the importance of keeping browser software updated, as the flaw exists in the core rendering engine that processes web content. Organizations relying on Chrome for business applications face significant risk if systems are not promptly patched, as the vulnerability can be exploited through malicious websites or email attachments containing crafted SVG content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1445 focus primarily on immediate patching of affected Chrome installations to version 11.0.696.57 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper SVG document handling. System administrators should implement automated update mechanisms to ensure all browser installations remain current with security patches. Additionally, network administrators can deploy web content filters to block or sanitize SVG content from untrusted sources, though this approach may impact legitimate website functionality. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in web browser development, emphasizing the need for robust bounds checking and proper error handling in graphics rendering components. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement defensive measures such as browser hardening configurations that limit the execution of potentially malicious content. Regular security assessments of browser environments and implementation of principle of least privilege access controls can further reduce the risk associated with this class of vulnerabilities.