CVE-2011-2819 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 13.0.782.107 allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via vectors related to handling of the base URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2819 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 13.0.782.107 that fundamentally undermines the browser's core security model. This issue specifically targets the Same Origin Policy implementation, which serves as the primary mechanism for enforcing web security boundaries and preventing unauthorized access to resources across different domains. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of base URI resolution within the browser's rendering engine, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent essential security controls that isolate web content from different origins.
The technical flaw manifests in how Chrome processes and resolves base URIs when executing web content, particularly in scenarios involving nested frames, iframes, and dynamically generated content. When a web page contains elements that reference other resources or pages, the browser must determine the appropriate base URI to use for resolving relative paths and references. In affected versions, this resolution process contained a logic error that allowed attackers to manipulate the base URI in such a way that it would incorrectly resolve to a different origin than intended. This misresolution creates opportunities for cross-origin access to resources that should remain isolated, effectively breaking the fundamental security boundary that separates different websites and prevents unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to perform sophisticated cross-site scripting attacks and data exfiltration operations. An attacker could craft malicious web content that exploits this flaw to access cookies, local storage, or other resources belonging to different origins, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or complete account compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser's core security layer, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional web application security measures. Attackers could leverage this weakness to bypass security controls that would normally prevent such access, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive user data or system resources.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper handling of base URIs in web applications, and represents a classic example of how seemingly minor implementation flaws can result in significant security consequences. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects any web application that relies on Chrome's Same Origin Policy for security enforcement, making it a high-value target for threat actors. Organizations using affected Chrome versions face increased risk of targeted attacks that exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user sessions and sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper URI resolution and base URI handling in web security implementations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2819 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to version 13.0.782.107 or later, which contain the necessary patches to correct the base URI handling logic. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive browser security policies that include disabling unnecessary features, using content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to ensure all systems are updated and monitor for indicators of compromise that might suggest exploitation attempts. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and demonstrates how even minor security flaws in core browser components can have significant implications for overall web security posture, reinforcing the need for continuous security monitoring and timely patch deployment.