CVE-2011-2829 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Google Chrome before 13.0.782.215 on 32-bit platforms allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors involving uniform arrays.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2829 represents a critical integer overflow flaw discovered in Google Chrome versions prior to 13.0.782.215, specifically affecting 32-bit platforms. This vulnerability resides within the browser's handling of uniform arrays, which are fundamental components in web graphics rendering through WebGL and other graphics APIs. The integer overflow occurs when the browser processes certain array operations that exceed the maximum value that can be represented by a 32-bit signed integer, leading to unpredictable behavior in memory management and execution flow. Such flaws typically arise from insufficient input validation and boundary checking in the browser's graphics processing subsystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious web content that triggers the integer overflow condition during uniform array processing. When Chrome encounters such malformed array data, the overflow can cause the application to behave erratically, potentially leading to memory corruption that manifests as denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the integer overflow may enable attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate boundary checking mechanisms that are fundamental requirements for secure software development.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users who browse the internet regularly, as the attack surface is extremely broad and accessible through standard web content. The 32-bit platform limitation means that users running older operating systems or specific hardware configurations were particularly vulnerable, as these systems were more prevalent in enterprise environments during the affected timeframe. Organizations relying on Chrome for web-based applications and services faced potential exposure to denial of service attacks that could disrupt productivity and potentially provide attackers with opportunities for more sophisticated exploits. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest the possibility of information disclosure or privilege escalation scenarios that could compound the security risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2829 primarily involve immediate patching and upgrading to Chrome version 13.0.782.215 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent the integer overflow condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all browser installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious content before it reaches user browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to serious security consequences. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of initial access or privilege escalation techniques, particularly in targeted attacks against specific user groups or organizations. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and monitoring for unusual browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated browser versions to prevent exploitation of similar integer overflow vulnerabilities in other software components.