CVE-2011-1817 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 12.0.742.91 does not properly implement history deletion, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1817 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's implementation of browser history management functionality. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 12.0.742.91 and demonstrates a significant weakness in the browser's memory handling processes during history deletion operations. The flaw stems from improper memory management when the browser attempts to remove entries from its browsing history, creating potential pathways for malicious exploitation that could result in system instability or more severe security consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Chrome's handling of memory allocation and deallocation during history deletion processes. When users or applications trigger history cleanup operations, the browser's underlying code fails to properly manage memory references, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, or CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The vulnerability's nature suggests that attackers could craft specific inputs or trigger sequences that cause the browser to access memory locations outside the intended boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1817 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as the vulnerability could enable remote attackers to manipulate browser memory structures in ways that compromise system integrity. Attackers exploiting this flaw might be able to cause unpredictable behavior including browser crashes, memory corruption, or potentially more serious consequences depending on the specific exploitation vectors. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the CVE description suggest that this vulnerability could potentially enable privilege escalation or information disclosure scenarios, making it particularly dangerous in environments where browser security is paramount.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, particularly in the context of browser-based exploitation. The vulnerability could be leveraged through web-based attack vectors where malicious websites or content could trigger the memory corruption conditions. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises, particularly in environments where Chrome is used as a primary browser and where users may encounter untrusted web content. The exploitability of this vulnerability increases significantly when considering that modern browsers like Chrome process vast amounts of user data and maintain complex memory structures that could be targeted through sophisticated attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1817 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 12.0.742.91 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the memory management issues. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious websites and maintain comprehensive monitoring for unusual browser behavior or memory allocation patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as sandboxing and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated browser versions that may still be vulnerable to this and similar historical exploits.