CVE-2011-2861 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 14.0.835.163 does not properly handle strings in PDF documents, which allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via a crafted document that triggers an incorrect read operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2861 represents a critical memory safety issue within Google Chrome's handling of PDF documents, specifically affecting versions prior to 14.0.835.163. This flaw resides in Chrome's embedded PDF viewer implementation which processes and renders PDF content directly within the browser environment. The vulnerability manifests when the browser encounters malformed or crafted string data within PDF documents, leading to improper memory management during the document processing phase. The issue falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory boundary checking within Chrome's PDF parsing routines. When processing PDF documents containing specially crafted strings, the browser fails to properly validate the string length or encoding parameters, resulting in an incorrect read operation that can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is classified as a buffer over-read condition according to CWE-129, which occurs when a program reads data past the end of a buffer, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents or allowing attackers to manipulate program execution flow. The improper handling of string data in PDF documents creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious code that can be executed within the browser's sandboxed environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2861 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can compromise user systems without requiring any local interaction from the victim. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that, when opened in vulnerable Chrome versions, trigger the memory corruption flaw and potentially allow for full system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised browser process. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the widespread use of PDF documents in email attachments, web downloads, and document sharing platforms, making it highly effective for mass exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2861 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 14.0.835.163 or later, which contain the necessary patches to properly validate PDF string data and prevent the memory corruption conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies that prioritize security updates for web browsers, particularly those with known vulnerabilities affecting widely used applications. Additional defensive measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious PDF content, implementing strict email filtering policies that scan for potentially malicious attachments, and educating users about the risks of opening PDF documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation in browser security architectures, as recommended by security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions that can identify and block known malicious PDF patterns, while security monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous PDF processing activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.