CVE-2011-2622 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Web Workers implementation in Opera before 11.50 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2622 represents a critical flaw within Opera's Web Workers implementation that existed prior to version 11.50. This issue falls under the broader category of software security weaknesses affecting web browser implementations and specifically targets the multi-threading capabilities that Web Workers provide within the browser environment. The vulnerability manifests as an unspecified flaw that enables remote attackers to trigger application crashes, effectively creating a denial of service condition that compromises the stability and availability of the affected browser.
Web Workers represent a fundamental component of modern web browser architecture that allows web applications to run scripts in background threads, thereby preventing the main UI thread from being blocked during intensive operations. This technology enables parallel processing capabilities within the browser environment, making it essential for complex web applications that require significant computational resources. The flaw in Opera's implementation suggests a failure in proper input validation, memory management, or thread synchronization mechanisms that are critical to maintaining browser stability when processing Web Worker related code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides attackers with a means to disrupt user experience and potentially compromise the security posture of affected systems. When an attacker can cause a browser to crash through remote code execution or manipulation of Web Worker functionality, they effectively gain the ability to deny service to legitimate users. This vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on Opera for web browsing, as the flaw exists at the core implementation level rather than in specific web applications or third-party extensions.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the 'Denial of Service' tactic, where adversaries seek to disrupt services and make systems unavailable to legitimate users. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways may exist for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly concerning as it could potentially be leveraged through various means including malicious websites, crafted web content, or manipulated web applications that utilize Web Workers functionality.
The technical implementation details indicate that the vulnerability likely stems from inadequate bounds checking, improper memory handling, or flawed exception management within Opera's Web Workers subsystem. This type of flaw typically arises when developers fail to properly validate input parameters or when thread synchronization mechanisms are not adequately implemented to handle concurrent access to shared resources. Such issues are commonly classified under CWE-119 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system, which deals with weaknesses related to "Improper Access to Resources" and "Memory Safety Issues" in software implementations.
Security practitioners should prioritize updating affected Opera installations to version 11.50 or later, as this represents the first release that addressed the identified vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all endpoints remain protected against known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper thread management and resource handling in browser implementations, as these components form the foundation of modern web security architectures and user experience.