CVE-2011-3017 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome before 17.0.963.56 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to database handling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2021
The CVE-2011-3017 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 17.0.963.56, fundamentally compromising the browser's memory management integrity. This flaw occurs within the database handling components of the Chromium-based browser, where improper memory deallocation creates opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's memory state after objects have been freed. The vulnerability specifically manifests during database operations, particularly when handling structured data that requires complex memory allocation and deallocation sequences. Such conditions create a window where attackers can manipulate freed memory regions to execute arbitrary code or trigger unexpected behavior in the browser's operation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which defines use-after-free conditions as a class of memory safety issues where program memory is accessed after it has been freed by the application. This particular flaw operates within the browser's database subsystem, where Chrome's internal handling of SQL-like operations and indexed database structures creates predictable patterns that attackers can exploit. The memory corruption occurs when database objects are destroyed but their references remain accessible to the application's memory management system, creating a scenario where malicious input can manipulate these freed memory locations to redirect execution flow or corrupt critical data structures. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger this condition through web content without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3017 extends beyond simple denial of service, potentially enabling remote code execution and arbitrary code execution within the context of the browser process. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads that may escalate privileges, access sensitive user data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The database handling context makes this particularly dangerous as it can affect various web applications that rely on client-side database storage mechanisms, including those using Web SQL Database or IndexedDB APIs. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that the memory corruption could lead to information disclosure, system instability, or complete compromise of the browser's security boundaries. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish footholds in target environments through browser-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3017 require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 17.0.963.56 or later, which includes memory safety improvements and enhanced validation of database operations. Organizations should implement network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious web content and deploy browser hardening measures that limit database access permissions. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based attacks and T1566 for social engineering via web delivery, making comprehensive security awareness training essential. System administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement application whitelisting policies that restrict database access to trusted applications. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and the implementation of automated patch management systems to prevent exploitation of known memory safety vulnerabilities in widely used browser applications.