CVE-2011-1455 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 11.0.696.57 does not properly handle PDF documents with multipart encoding, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted document.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1455 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 11.0.696.57, specifically within the PDF document handling component. This issue arises from improper processing of PDF documents that utilize multipart encoding techniques, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to disrupt normal browser operations. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when Chrome attempts to parse malformed PDF content, fundamentally compromising the browser's stability and security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within Chrome's PDF rendering engine. When processing multipart encoded PDF documents, the browser fails to properly validate the boundaries of data segments, leading to memory access violations that can trigger unexpected behavior. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions where programs access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified as a remote code execution risk, though it primarily manifests as a denial of service condition in this particular instance.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1455 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the instability to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that, when opened in vulnerable Chrome versions, trigger the out-of-bounds read condition and cause the browser to crash or behave unpredictably. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted PDF content through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Chrome installations to version 11.0.696.57 or later, which includes proper input validation and memory boundary checks for multipart encoded PDF documents. Security administrators should implement network-level controls to restrict PDF document access where possible, particularly in high-risk environments. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including defense evasion through process injection and execution through malicious document handling. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious PDF content before it reaches user systems. Regular security assessments and browser hardening procedures should be maintained to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the browser ecosystem, as this flaw demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing components.