CVE-2011-1800 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the SVG Filters implementation in WebCore in WebKit in Google Chrome before 11.0.696.68 allow 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 • 11/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1800 represents a critical security flaw within the WebKit rendering engine's implementation of Scalable Vector Graphics filter processing capabilities. This issue specifically affects Google Chrome versions prior to 11.0.696.68, where the WebCore component responsible for handling SVG graphics contains multiple integer overflow conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability resides in the SVG Filters implementation which processes graphical effects applied to vector graphics elements, making it a significant concern for web applications that utilize complex visual rendering features.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the SVG filter processing code where integer overflows occur during calculations involving filter parameters and dimensions. When an attacker crafts malicious SVG content with specially constructed filter attributes, the system fails to properly handle the arithmetic operations that determine filter boundaries, leading to integer overflow conditions. These overflows can cause memory corruption or unexpected behavior within the rendering engine, potentially resulting in application crashes or memory instability. The vulnerability's classification as integer overflow aligns with CWE-190 which specifically addresses integer overflow and wraparound issues that can lead to unpredictable behavior and security consequences.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for users of affected Chrome versions, as it enables remote code execution possibilities through crafted SVG content delivered via web pages or embedded in web applications. The potential for denial of service attacks means that malicious actors could disrupt web browsing sessions or cause system instability, while the unspecified other impacts suggest possible privilege escalation or information disclosure scenarios. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites that leverage SVG graphics for visual effects.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across all web applications utilizing WebKit-based browsers, particularly those that process untrusted SVG content or implement complex graphical user interfaces with vector graphics. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution tactic, as it represents a client-side exploitation vector that can be delivered through web-based attack chains. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome installations and implement content security policies that restrict SVG processing where possible. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious SVG content patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Chrome updates to version 11.0.696.68 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the integer overflow conditions in SVG filter processing. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SVG content, while browser security policies should be configured to limit SVG processing capabilities in sensitive environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in graphics processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of rendering engines that handle complex multimedia content. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any custom applications or web services that might be vulnerable due to their reliance on WebKit or similar rendering technologies.