CVE-2011-1459 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The WebKit::WebPluginContainerImpl::handleEvent function in Google Chrome before Blink M11 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service (crash) via the htmlpluginelement.cpp plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1459 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the WebKit rendering engine component of Google Chrome browsers prior to the Blink rendering engine transition. This vulnerability specifically targets the WebKit::WebPluginContainerImpl::handleEvent function, which serves as a critical interface for handling events within embedded plugin elements. The issue manifests through the htmlpluginelement.cpp file, indicating that the flaw occurs during the processing of HTML plugin elements that are dynamically loaded within web pages. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the plugin container handling mechanism, creating a potential crash condition when malformed or malicious plugin events are processed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a web page contains maliciously crafted HTML plugin elements that trigger the handleEvent function with malformed parameters or unexpected event sequences. The flaw allows an attacker to construct specific HTML content that, when rendered by the browser, causes the WebKit plugin container to crash due to improper memory access or event handling. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-248, which covers uncaught exception scenarios. The vulnerability specifically impacts the browser's ability to maintain stable operation when processing embedded plugin content, creating a reliable crash condition that can be leveraged for denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1459 extends beyond simple browser instability, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the context of browser exploitation frameworks. When an attacker successfully triggers this vulnerability, they can cause the browser to crash and potentially restart, disrupting user sessions and potentially providing opportunities for further exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with T1059.007 for browser exploitation techniques and T1499.004 for network denial of service. This flaw particularly affects users of older Chrome versions where the Blink rendering engine had not yet been implemented, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the legacy WebKit engine's event handling mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions that include the Blink rendering engine and subsequent security patches. Users should ensure they are running the latest stable version of Chrome or Chromium browsers, as the vulnerability was resolved through updates that improved input validation and memory management within the plugin container handling code. Additionally, administrators should implement browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary plugin support, implementing content security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual browser crash patterns and potential attempts to trigger plugin-related vulnerabilities through web-based attack vectors.