CVE-2011-3015 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the PDF codecs in Google Chrome before 17.0.963.56 allow 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 • 03/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3015 represents a critical security flaw affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 17.0.963.56, specifically within the PDF codecs that handle document rendering and processing. This issue manifests as multiple integer overflows that occur during the handling of PDF files, creating a potential attack surface for remote adversaries seeking to exploit the browser's document processing capabilities. The affected PDF codecs are integral components responsible for parsing and rendering PDF documents within the Chrome browser environment, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given the widespread use of Chrome and the prevalence of PDF documents in both personal and enterprise contexts.
Integer overflow vulnerabilities occur when a program attempts to store a value that exceeds the maximum capacity of the integer data type being used, resulting in unexpected behavior where the value wraps around to a much smaller number. In the context of PDF codec processing, these overflows can be triggered during various stages of document parsing including memory allocation calculations, array size determinations, or loop counter operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the unspecified other impacts referenced in the description suggest potential for more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. This classification aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior and security breaches.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3015 is significant for organizations relying on Chrome as their primary browser, as attackers could exploit this vulnerability through malicious PDF documents delivered via email attachments, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns. The remote nature of the attack means that users need only view a specially crafted PDF document to potentially compromise their systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently access untrusted web content. The vulnerability affects the browser's security model by potentially allowing attackers to bypass memory safety mechanisms and execute malicious code within the browser's sandboxed environment, which could lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Chrome version 17.0.963.56 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the integer overflow conditions in the PDF codecs. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing measures to reduce the attack surface. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing browser hardening measures including disabling PDF plugin execution and restricting access to potentially malicious PDF content. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which involves exploitation of remote services and browser-based attacks, making it essential for security operations centers to include this vulnerability in their threat hunting and incident response procedures. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and the need for organizations to maintain robust patch management processes to protect against similar integer overflow vulnerabilities in other software components.