CVE-2011-2782 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The drag-and-drop implementation in Google Chrome before 13.0.782.107 on Linux does not properly enforce permissions for files, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2782 represents a critical permission enforcement flaw within Google Chrome's drag-and-drop functionality on Linux operating systems. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 13.0.782.107 and stems from inadequate validation of file access permissions during drag-and-drop operations. The flaw allows remote attackers to potentially bypass intended security restrictions through unspecified attack vectors that exploit the browser's insufficient permission checking mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in Chrome's Linux-specific drag-and-drop handler which fails to properly verify file system permissions before allowing file operations to proceed. When users engage in drag-and-drop activities within the browser interface, the application should validate that the user has appropriate access rights to the target files and directories. However, this validation process is bypassed, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate file access controls through crafted drag-and-drop sequences. The vulnerability specifically impacts Linux systems where Chrome's file handling mechanisms differ from other platforms, indicating a platform-specific implementation gap in the browser's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to potentially access restricted files and directories that should normally be protected from unauthorized access. Attackers can leverage this flaw through user-assisted remote exploitation, meaning they require some form of user interaction to initiate the attack vector. This typically involves tricking users into performing specific drag-and-drop operations on maliciously crafted web pages or through compromised websites. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk where legitimate users may inadvertently expose sensitive system resources to unauthorized access, particularly in environments where Chrome serves as the primary browser for web-based applications.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and demonstrates how browser-specific implementation flaws can create security gaps that bypass traditional access control mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through browser-based attacks. The issue also relates to CWE-352, which covers cross-site request forgery, as the attack may involve manipulating user interactions to perform unauthorized operations. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly benign user interface features can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. The Linux-specific nature of this vulnerability highlights the importance of platform-specific security testing and the potential for targeted attacks against specific operating system environments. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability and implementing additional browser security measures to prevent exploitation through user-assisted attack scenarios.