CVE-2011-2170 in Chrome OS
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome OS before R12 0.12.433.38 Beta, when Guest mode is enabled, does not prevent changes on the about:flags page, which has unspecified impact and local attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2170 affects Google Chrome OS versions prior to R12 0.12.433.38 Beta and specifically relates to the Guest mode implementation. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the operating system's privilege management and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the about:flags page, which contains experimental features and configuration options, remains accessible and editable despite the restrictions typically imposed during guest sessions. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and undermines the fundamental security model that Chrome OS employs to isolate user sessions and prevent unauthorized system modifications.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and access control checks within the Guest mode implementation. When users access Chrome OS in guest mode, they should be restricted from making system-level changes that could compromise the integrity of the operating system or affect other users. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to modify flags that control various experimental features and system behaviors. This represents a CWE-284 access control weakness where improper privileges are granted to unprivileged users, enabling them to manipulate system configuration parameters that should remain protected. The unspecified impact suggests that these modifications could potentially lead to privilege escalation, system instability, or other security consequences that are not fully documented in the original vulnerability report.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to system configuration. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to disable security features, enable malicious experimental flags, or manipulate system behavior in ways that compromise the overall security posture of the device. The local attack vector means that an attacker would need physical access to the device or the ability to establish a local session, but this still represents a significant risk in environments where devices may be accessed by unauthorized individuals. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise deployments where Chrome OS devices are used in shared or public environments where guest access is commonly enabled. The attack surface is further expanded because the about:flags page provides access to numerous experimental features that may not have undergone full security review and testing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to Chrome OS R12 0.12.433.38 Beta or later versions where the access control restrictions have been properly implemented. Organizations should disable Guest mode functionality when it is not required, particularly in security-sensitive environments where unauthorized access to system configuration parameters could pose significant risks. Network administrators should monitor for unauthorized access attempts and implement additional security controls such as device encryption and remote management policies. The remediation process should include verifying that the about:flags page is properly restricted in guest mode sessions and that system administrators have appropriate access controls in place. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation and access control enforcement in operating system design, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments to identify similar access control weaknesses that could potentially allow unauthorized modifications to system configuration parameters.