CVE-2011-2803 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 13.0.782.107 does not properly handle Skia paths, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2803 represents a critical memory safety issue within Google Chrome's rendering engine, specifically affecting versions prior to 13.0.782.107. This flaw resides in the Skia graphics library implementation that Chrome uses for rendering web content, making it a significant concern for browser security and stability. The vulnerability manifests through improper handling of Skia paths which are fundamental components in vector graphics rendering within web browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when Chrome processes certain Skia path structures. This type of memory access error typically arises when the application attempts to read data from memory locations beyond the allocated boundaries of a data structure. The flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious web content that, when rendered by the vulnerable browser, triggers this memory access violation. Such conditions often lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, which constitute a denial of service attack vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2803 extends beyond simple browser instability as it provides attackers with a mechanism to remotely disrupt user sessions and potentially deliver more sophisticated attacks. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause Chrome to crash repeatedly, forcing users to restart their browsers and potentially lose unsaved work. The out-of-bounds read condition may also provide opportunities for information disclosure or even arbitrary code execution in some scenarios, though the primary impact documented is denial of service. This vulnerability affects all users of affected Chrome versions and represents a significant risk in environments where browser stability is critical.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Chrome version 13.0.782.107 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly handle Skia paths and prevent the out-of-bounds read conditions. Organizations should implement robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all browser installations. Additionally, browser hardening techniques such as sandboxing and privilege separation can provide additional defense in depth. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation or denial of service through software exploitation. Network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability until proper patching is complete.