CVE-2011-2802 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google V8, as used in Google Chrome before 13.0.782.107, does not properly perform const lookups, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2802 affects Google V8 JavaScript engine, which serves as the core JavaScript execution engine for Google Chrome browser versions prior to 13.0.782.107. This issue stems from improper handling of constant variable lookups within the V8 engine's runtime environment, creating a fundamental flaw in how the engine processes const declarations and their subsequent references. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of JavaScript engine optimization and memory management, where the engine fails to correctly validate or handle const variable lookups during execution, leading to potential instability in the browser's JavaScript runtime.
The technical flaw manifests when the V8 engine encounters specific patterns of const variable declarations and references that trigger incorrect memory access patterns or invalid state transitions within the engine's internal structures. This improper const lookup handling can cause the JavaScript engine to attempt operations on memory locations that are either unallocated or improperly initialized, resulting in application crashes or more severe runtime failures. The vulnerability operates at the level of JavaScript engine internals, specifically affecting how const variables are resolved and accessed during script execution, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web page content without requiring special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users of affected Chrome versions as it enables remote code execution through web-based attacks. Attackers can craft malicious websites that, when visited by users with vulnerable Chrome versions, trigger the flawed const lookup mechanism and cause the browser to crash or potentially execute arbitrary code. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise, as the JavaScript engine's instability can be leveraged to bypass security boundaries within the browser sandbox. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that heavily utilize const variable declarations and can be exploited in various contexts including phishing attacks, drive-by downloads, and targeted attacks against users of outdated browser versions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution within web browsers. Organizations should immediately update to Chrome version 13.0.782.107 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the patch addresses the underlying const lookup implementation in V8 engine. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular browser updates serves as effective mitigation strategies. Network administrators should also consider monitoring for exploitation attempts and ensure that all endpoints maintain current security patches to prevent potential exploitation of this and similar JavaScript engine vulnerabilities that could compromise user systems and data integrity.