CVE-2011-2838 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 14.0.835.163 does not properly consider the MIME type during the loading of a plug-in, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2838 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's handling of plugin loading mechanisms prior to version 14.0.835.163. This issue stems from the browser's insufficient validation of MIME types during the plugin loading process, creating a potential avenue for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web browser security and plugin architecture, where proper MIME type handling is essential for maintaining security boundaries between trusted and untrusted content. The flaw allows for potential privilege escalation or code execution through carefully crafted plugin requests that bypass normal security checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Chrome's plugin subsystem failing to properly validate the MIME type associated with plugin content during the loading sequence. When a browser encounters plugin content, it typically relies on MIME type information to determine how to handle the content and what security restrictions to apply. In this case, the browser's failure to properly consider MIME types during plugin loading creates a scenario where malicious content could be loaded with elevated privileges or bypass normal sandboxing mechanisms. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-451, which addresses "Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key" and related issues in web browser plugin handling, though the specific manifestation here involves MIME type validation rather than cryptographic key handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers could leverage this flaw by hosting malicious plugin content on compromised web servers or through social engineering campaigns that direct victims to malicious websites. The remote attack vectors available through this vulnerability make it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently access compromised websites. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the vulnerability could potentially enable various attack scenarios including but not limited to arbitrary code execution, information disclosure, or denial of service conditions. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript', where the vulnerability could be exploited through JavaScript-based attacks that manipulate plugin loading behavior.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions that properly address the MIME type validation issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated to version 14.0.835.163 or later. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing browser security policies that restrict plugin loading or disable unnecessary plugin functionality. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in web browser architectures and demonstrates why MIME type handling should be treated as a critical security control. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual plugin loading patterns and unauthorized plugin installations, as these activities could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious plugin content before it reaches user browsers. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust security controls in browser plugin architectures and the importance of continuous security assessment of browser components that handle external content.