CVE-2011-2858 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 14.0.835.163 does not properly handle triangle arrays, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2858 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's rendering engine that existed prior to version 14.0.835.163. This issue stems from improper handling of triangle arrays within the browser's graphics processing capabilities, specifically affecting how Chrome manages geometric data structures during web page rendering. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to trigger unexpected behavior in the browser's memory management systems. Triangle arrays are fundamental components in 3d graphics rendering and web content presentation, particularly in canvas elements and WebGL implementations that Chrome utilizes for rich media experiences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Chrome's failure to properly validate array bounds when processing triangle data structures that are commonly used in graphics rendering contexts. When malicious web content attempts to manipulate triangle arrays through crafted javascript or canvas operations, the browser's graphics subsystem fails to perform adequate boundary checking. This oversight results in memory access violations that can cause the browser to crash or behave unpredictably, effectively creating a denial of service condition. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios where users are unknowingly exposed to harmful content.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of web browsers by creating a pathway for remote code execution through memory corruption. The out-of-bounds read condition can potentially be leveraged to achieve arbitrary code execution on affected systems, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in vulnerable Chrome versions, cause the browser to access memory locations outside of allocated buffers, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, or complete browser takeover. The vulnerability affects not only individual user sessions but also represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where Chrome is widely deployed. Organizations may experience service disruption, data exposure, and potential lateral movement within network perimeters when this vulnerability is successfully exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2858 focus primarily on immediate remediation through software updates and browser version management. Users and organizations should prioritize updating to Chrome version 14.0.835.163 or later, which includes patches addressing the triangle array handling issue. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict access to potentially malicious content, utilizing sandboxing mechanisms, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through web-based attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to known malicious domains that might exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated browser versions to ensure comprehensive protection against this and similar rendering engine vulnerabilities.