CVE-2011-2360 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 13.0.782.107 does not ensure that the user is prompted before download of a dangerous file, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass intended content restrictions via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-2360 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's security model that undermines user protection mechanisms designed to prevent automatic execution of potentially harmful files. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 13.0.782.107 and stems from insufficient validation of file download behaviors within the browser's content restriction system. The flaw operates by allowing malicious websites to bypass the standard user consent prompts that should occur before downloading files deemed dangerous by the browser's security policies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in Chrome's file handling and user interface components where the browser fails to properly enforce its intended security policies during the download process. When users navigate to malicious websites, the browser does not consistently display the required warning dialogs that would inform users about potentially dangerous file types and require explicit confirmation before proceeding with downloads. This failure creates an attack surface where remote adversaries can craft web pages that automatically initiate downloads of malicious content without proper user awareness or consent, effectively circumventing the browser's built-in security safeguards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables sophisticated social engineering attacks where attackers can exploit user trust in familiar websites. Attackers can create deceptive web pages that appear legitimate while silently downloading malware, viruses, or other malicious executables to the user's system. This vulnerability particularly affects users who may not be security-aware and could inadvertently execute downloaded content without understanding the risks involved. The security implications are compounded by the fact that many users rely on browser security features as their primary defense mechanism against malware infections.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper output neutralization for logs, and relates to broader categories of security misconfigurations that affect user consent mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates weaknesses in the browser's defense-in-depth strategy, where multiple security layers should work together to prevent malicious activities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving initial access through malicious content and privilege escalation via automatic execution of downloaded files, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may not have adequate security awareness training.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to Chrome version 13.0.782.107 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly enforce user consent prompts during dangerous file downloads. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as network-based content filtering, sandboxing technologies, and user education programs to reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Browser security policies should be reviewed and updated to ensure that automatic downloads of executable files are properly restricted, and administrators should consider implementing additional layers of protection such as application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized software. Regular security audits of browser configurations and user permissions can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other security components.