CVE-2011-1811 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 12.0.742.91 does not properly handle a large number of form submissions, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1811 represents a denial of service flaw in Google Chrome browser versions prior to 12.0.742.91. This issue stems from the browser's inadequate handling of excessive form submission events, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit the application's resource management mechanisms to trigger unexpected crashes. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulating the browser's internal form processing queues and memory allocation strategies during high-volume submission scenarios.
From a technical perspective, the flaw manifests when Chrome encounters an excessive number of form submissions within a short timeframe, causing the browser application to consume disproportionate system resources or encounter memory management issues that result in application instability. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-400 category of Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, specifically representing a resource exhaustion scenario where the browser's form handling subsystem becomes overwhelmed by the volume of concurrent or rapid submissions. The issue demonstrates poor input validation and resource management practices within the browser's rendering engine, particularly affecting how it processes user interaction events and manages associated memory structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be exploited to disrupt user experience and potentially serve as a vector for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to force browser crashes, effectively creating a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing web applications or services. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter malicious websites or content. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort method to disrupt browser functionality, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service and potentially supporting broader attack chains involving user interaction and application compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1811 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 12.0.742.91 and later, which contain patches addressing the form submission handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all Chrome installations are current, particularly in enterprise environments where browser security is critical. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block anomalous form submission patterns, implementing browser security policies that limit form submission frequency, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper resource management and input validation in browser security architectures, emphasizing the need for robust error handling and memory allocation strategies that can withstand high-volume user interactions without compromising application stability.