CVE-2011-2881 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 14.0.835.202 does not properly handle Google V8 hidden objects, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2881 represents a critical flaw in Google Chrome's JavaScript engine implementation that affects versions prior to 14.0.835.202. This issue stems from improper handling of V8 hidden objects within the browser's execution environment, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory management mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Chrome's web browser, which is responsible for interpreting and executing JavaScript code in web pages. When Chrome processes JavaScript code containing crafted hidden object manipulations, the engine fails to properly validate or manage these objects, leading to unpredictable memory states. This flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities, which are particularly dangerous as they can lead to system instability or potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability is classified as a denial of service condition, but the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that attackers may be able to leverage this weakness for additional malicious purposes beyond simple service disruption. The root cause lies in how Chrome's V8 engine manages hidden objects, which are internal JavaScript engine constructs used to optimize performance by storing additional metadata about objects. When these hidden objects are improperly handled, they can cause memory corruption that affects the browser's stability and security. The attack vector requires remote execution through crafted JavaScript code delivered via web pages or web applications, making it particularly dangerous in the context of modern web browsing where users frequently encounter untrusted content. This vulnerability directly impacts the browser's ability to maintain memory integrity and can result in crashes or unpredictable behavior when processing malicious scripts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting JavaScript code that manipulates hidden objects in ways that the V8 engine does not properly handle. Attackers can create scripts that trigger memory corruption by accessing or modifying hidden properties in unexpected ways, causing the JavaScript engine to allocate or deallocate memory incorrectly. This type of memory corruption can manifest as heap corruption or stack corruption depending on how the hidden objects are manipulated, leading to unpredictable program behavior. The flaw essentially creates a gap in the memory management system where the V8 engine fails to properly validate the operations performed on hidden objects, allowing attackers to bypass normal security checks. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the core JavaScript engine level, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional web application firewalls or security measures. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as memory corruption vulnerabilities often provide opportunities for more advanced exploitation techniques, potentially enabling remote code execution or privilege escalation attacks. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of modern JavaScript engines and the challenges they present in terms of secure memory management. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory handling in high-performance computing environments where JavaScript engines must balance speed with security.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2881 is significant for organizations and individuals using affected Chrome versions, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by threat actors without requiring user interaction beyond visiting compromised websites. Users of vulnerable versions face potential exposure to denial of service attacks that can cause browser crashes, application instability, or complete system hangs during web browsing sessions. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that attackers may be able to leverage this weakness for more sophisticated attacks, including potential privilege escalation or remote code execution scenarios. This vulnerability affects the browser's fundamental security model and can undermine user trust in the browser's ability to protect against malicious web content. Organizations that rely on Chrome for business operations face increased risk of service disruption and potential data exposure when using vulnerable versions. The vulnerability also impacts web application security by potentially allowing attackers to bypass browser security controls and exploit other weaknesses in the application stack. From a compliance perspective, organizations using vulnerable versions may face regulatory issues if security incidents occur due to unpatched vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain strict patch management policies. The impact on user productivity is substantial as browser instability can force users to restart applications, lose unsaved work, and experience reduced access to web-based services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2881 primarily involve immediate patching of Chrome installations to versions 14.0.835.202 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems are updated promptly, as this vulnerability affects a wide range of Chrome users. Browser vendors should also consider implementing additional security measures such as sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms to reduce the impact of similar vulnerabilities. The security community should maintain awareness of related vulnerabilities that may be discovered during exploitation attempts, as memory corruption vulnerabilities often reveal additional weaknesses in browser implementations. System administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and web application firewalls to detect potential attacks targeting this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening techniques such as disabling unnecessary JavaScript features or implementing content security policies to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other browser components or web technologies. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping all software components updated, as this flaw in the JavaScript engine can be exploited to undermine broader security controls. Additionally, user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browsers updated should be emphasized as part of overall cybersecurity awareness programs. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce compatibility issues with existing web applications or business processes. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual browser behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.