CVE-2011-2844 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 14.0.835.163 does not properly process MP3 files, 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 • 11/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2844 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 14.0.835.163. This issue specifically affects the browser's handling of MP3 audio files, demonstrating how multimedia processing components can introduce significant security risks. The flaw enables remote attackers to craft malicious MP3 files that trigger memory access violations when Chrome attempts to parse these audio containers. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited through web browsers without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making them ideal candidates for drive-by download attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 out-of-bounds read category, which occurs when a program reads memory beyond the boundaries of a buffer or array. In Chrome's case, the MP3 parser fails to properly validate the structure and boundaries of audio data, allowing attackers to manipulate file headers or metadata in ways that cause the application to access invalid memory locations. This type of flaw typically arises from insufficient input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the multimedia decoding libraries that Chrome utilizes for audio processing. The vulnerability demonstrates how complex multimedia frameworks can introduce subtle but dangerous memory safety issues that are difficult to detect through conventional testing methods.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2844 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution. When a browser experiences an out-of-bounds read during media processing, it can result in application crashes that may be exploited to redirect execution flow or corrupt memory in ways that allow attackers to inject malicious code. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation, and T1059, which involves the use of command and scripting interpreters. The remote exploitation capability makes this particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content through social engineering or compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome installations to version 14.0.835.163 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the MP3 parsing logic. Organizations should implement browser hardening measures including disabling automatic media playback, implementing content security policies, and using web application firewalls to filter potentially malicious content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated and demonstrates why organizations should maintain comprehensive patch management processes. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms that can identify suspicious MP3 file patterns or unusual browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and downloading unknown files, as these remain the most common attack vectors for such browser-based exploits.