CVE-2011-2807 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Incorrect handling of timer information in Timer.cpp in WebKit in Google Chrome before Blink M13.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2807 represents a critical flaw in the WebKit rendering engine's timer management system within Google Chrome versions prior to the Blink rendering engine milestone 13. This issue stems from improper handling of timer information within the Timer.cpp component, which forms part of the core JavaScript engine's asynchronous execution framework. The vulnerability manifests when the browser processes timer events, specifically affecting how timer objects are managed and executed within the web page context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a memory management error that occurs during timer object lifecycle operations. When JavaScript code schedules timers using functions like setTimeout or setInterval, the WebKit engine creates timer objects that are managed through the Timer.cpp implementation. The flaw arises from inadequate validation and handling of timer state information, particularly when timers are canceled or destroyed while still in execution. This improper state management creates opportunities for memory corruption and potential code execution exploits. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper handling of timer information, which is classified as a CWE-129 weakness related to insufficient validation of timer state transitions.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2807 extends beyond simple browser instability, presenting significant security risks to users of affected Chrome versions. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through malicious web pages that manipulate timer objects in ways that trigger the memory corruption conditions. The attack vector typically involves crafting JavaScript code that schedules multiple timers, cancels them in specific sequences, and then triggers the corrupted timer state to execute arbitrary code within the browser context. This vulnerability enables remote code execution capabilities, allowing attackers to bypass security restrictions and potentially gain control over the affected system. The exploit requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and drive-by download scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate browser updates to versions that incorporate the Blink rendering engine and subsequent fixes to the timer management system. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated to versions M13 or later. Additionally, network administrators can deploy web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains that might exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include monitoring for any exploitation attempts and implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features and restricting timer-based functionality in sensitive environments. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous timer execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the MITRE ATT&CK framework for browser-based attacks and privilege escalation through memory corruption vulnerabilities.