CVE-2011-2350 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The HTML parser in Google Chrome before 12.0.742.112 does not properly address "lifetime and re-entrancy issues," which allows 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 • 11/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2350 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's HTML parsing functionality that existed prior to version 12.0.742.112. This issue stems from improper handling of lifetime and re-entrancy concerns within the browser's HTML processing engine, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software's parsing logic. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-691, which specifically addresses insufficient control flow management and improper handling of re-entrancy conditions in software systems. The root cause lies in the browser's inability to properly manage the execution flow when processing malformed HTML content, particularly when the parser encounters certain edge cases that trigger recursive or nested processing scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious HTML content that triggers specific parsing behaviors within Chrome's engine. These crafted inputs cause the HTML parser to enter into problematic execution paths where lifetime management fails, potentially leading to memory corruption or unexpected state transitions. The re-entrancy aspects of this flaw mean that the parser can be invoked recursively during processing of a single document, creating conditions where previously allocated resources may be accessed after being freed or where processing states become inconsistent. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign parsing operations can become dangerous when proper control flow management is absent, particularly in complex web browsers that must handle a wide variety of input formats and edge cases.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2350 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, though that remains a primary concern. While the vulnerability can certainly be leveraged to cause browser crashes or system instability, the unspecified other impacts referenced in the description suggest potential for more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. Attackers could potentially craft malicious websites or web applications that, when viewed in affected Chrome versions, trigger the vulnerable parsing code paths. This creates a vector for remote code execution attacks that could compromise user systems, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects a significant user base given Chrome's market dominance, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit widespread browser implementations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2350 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of Google Chrome where the HTML parser has been reworked to properly handle lifetime and re-entrancy conditions. Security administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of Chrome version 12.0.742.112 or later, which includes fixes addressing the control flow issues within the HTML parsing engine. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or content filtering systems that can detect and block suspicious HTML content patterns that might trigger this vulnerability. From a defensive perspective, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper resource management in complex parsing systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for command and scripting interpreter execution through browser-based attacks. Additionally, browser vendors should implement more rigorous testing procedures for parsing logic, particularly around recursive or nested processing scenarios, to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases.