CVE-2011-2852 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in Google V8, as used in Google Chrome before 14.0.835.163, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2852 represents a critical off-by-one error within Google V8 JavaScript engine, which serves as the core execution engine for Google Chrome browser and numerous other applications. This flaw exists in the V8 engine version prior to 14.0.835.163 and demonstrates how seemingly minor programming mistakes can create significant security risks in high-traffic software environments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient input validation, specifically manifesting as an out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited through improper array boundary handling during JavaScript execution.
The technical implementation of this off-by-one error occurs when the V8 engine processes JavaScript code containing array operations that exceed their allocated memory boundaries. This condition allows attackers to manipulate memory access patterns in ways that can trigger unpredictable behavior within the JavaScript runtime environment. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory management and code execution, where the flawed boundary checking logic enables attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended array limits. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1499.004 for denial of service attacks, demonstrating how memory corruption can lead to both system instability and potential privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable remote code execution in certain circumstances. When exploited, the off-by-one error can cause the browser to crash or behave unpredictably, leading to denial of service for legitimate users. However, the unspecified other impacts referenced in the CVE description suggest that under specific conditions, this vulnerability might allow attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context, potentially compromising user sessions or enabling further exploitation through chained attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition through malicious web content without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2852 primarily focus on immediate patching and updating of affected Google Chrome installations to version 14.0.835.163 or later. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all vulnerable systems receive updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious JavaScript patterns, deploying sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential exploitation, and utilizing browser security features such as content security policies to restrict script execution. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue also necessitates regular security monitoring and intrusion detection system deployment to identify potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while also maintaining detailed logging of browser activity to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.