CVE-2011-1454 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the DOM id handling functionality in Google Chrome before 11.0.696.57 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted HTML document.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1454 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Google Chrome's Document Object Model id handling functionality. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 11.0.696.57 and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation details in web browsers can create significant security risks. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where the browser attempts to access memory locations that have already been freed, creating potential attack vectors for remote adversaries. Such flaws are particularly dangerous in browser environments where arbitrary code execution can occur through carefully crafted web content, making them prime targets for exploitation in real-world scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software systems. When Chrome processes HTML documents containing crafted id attributes, the browser's DOM parsing logic fails to properly manage memory references, leading to situations where freed memory blocks are accessed. This memory management failure occurs during the processing of document identifier elements, where the browser maintains references to objects that are no longer valid. The flaw demonstrates how improper resource handling in web rendering engines can create exploitable conditions that extend beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser rendering and memory management, highlighting the complexity of modern web browsers as attack surfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1454 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the unspecified other impacts referenced in the vulnerability description suggest potential for more serious consequences. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability through crafted HTML documents delivered via web pages, email attachments, or malicious websites, making it particularly dangerous in the context of web-based attacks. The vulnerability can result in browser crashes, application instability, and potentially provide footholds for more advanced exploitation techniques. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw represents a valuable tool for creating persistent threats, as the memory corruption can be used to redirect execution flow or manipulate browser processes. The impact is particularly severe given Chrome's widespread adoption and the fact that many users interact with untrusted web content regularly, creating numerous potential attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 11.0.696.57 or later, as this represents the official fix provided by Google. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all systems receive security patches promptly, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy browser versions may persist. Network security controls can provide additional layers of protection through web filtering and content inspection, though these measures cannot fully compensate for the underlying memory management flaw. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs, particularly focusing on browser security updates. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and monitoring for suspicious web activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust memory safety practices in software development, particularly in complex applications like web browsers that process untrusted input continuously.