CVE-2011-1819 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 12.0.742.91 allows remote attackers to perform unspecified injection into a chrome:// page via vectors related to extensions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1819 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 12.0.742.91 that enables remote attackers to execute unspecified injection attacks against chrome:// pages through extension-related vectors. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of privilege escalation and code injection issues that can compromise browser security boundaries. The chrome:// protocol is a special scheme used by Chrome to access internal browser pages and resources, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit browser internals. This type of vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with browser extension architectures and their interaction with privileged browser components.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within Chrome's extension handling system when processing requests to chrome:// pages. Attackers can potentially leverage this weakness by crafting malicious extensions or manipulating existing ones to inject arbitrary code or data into privileged browser contexts. The vulnerability specifically relates to how Chrome processes extension-related requests that target internal chrome:// URLs, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution within the browser's trusted environment. This issue represents a classic example of a privilege escalation vulnerability where unprivileged user code gains access to privileged browser resources through flawed access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1819 is significant as it allows remote attackers to potentially compromise user sessions and browser integrity without requiring local system access. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate browser settings, steal user data, or execute malicious code within the context of the victim's browser session. The attack surface is particularly concerning because chrome:// pages often contain sensitive information and administrative functions that should remain protected from external interference. This vulnerability could be exploited in various attack scenarios including phishing campaigns, drive-by downloads, or social engineering attacks where malicious extensions are masqueraded as legitimate browser components. The potential for persistent compromise increases when attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish footholds within the browser environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to Chrome version 12.0.742.91 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the injection vectors. Users should also implement strict extension management policies, regularly reviewing installed extensions and removing any suspicious or unnecessary components. Security professionals should monitor for any attempts to exploit this vulnerability through network traffic analysis and browser monitoring tools. The remediation process should include comprehensive security audits of browser extensions and implementation of proper input validation controls. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and following security best practices for extension management. Organizations should consider implementing browser security policies that restrict extension installation and monitor for unauthorized browser modifications. The incident underscores the necessity of proper access control mechanisms and input sanitization within browser architectures to prevent unauthorized access to privileged resources. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-74 and CWE-79 categories related to injection flaws and improper input handling, and may be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection.