CVE-2011-3022 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
translate/translate_manager.cc in Google Chrome before 17.0.963.56 and 19.x before 19.0.1036.7 uses an HTTP session to exchange data for translation, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3022 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome's translation functionality that persisted across multiple versions of the browser. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 17.0.963.56 and 19.x versions before 19.0.1036.7, where the browser's translation manager component utilizes HTTP sessions for data exchange during translation operations. The fundamental technical flaw lies in the improper handling of sensitive information through unencrypted communication channels, creating a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks and network sniffing operations that could compromise user data.
The vulnerability operates through a specific implementation weakness where Chrome's translate_manager.cc component establishes HTTP connections to translation services without employing encryption mechanisms such as HTTPS. This design choice exposes sensitive information to network traffic interception, allowing remote attackers positioned within the network to capture and analyze the communication between the browser and translation servers. The flaw essentially creates an information disclosure vulnerability where personal data, document contents, and other sensitive materials processed through Chrome's translation feature become accessible to unauthorized parties monitoring network traffic.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to user privacy and data confidentiality, particularly in environments where network security is not adequately enforced. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal sophistication from threat actors, as standard network sniffing tools can capture the unencrypted HTTP traffic containing translated content. Organizations using Chrome in corporate environments, public Wi-Fi networks, or any setting where network monitoring is possible face elevated risk of data leakage through this mechanism. The vulnerability affects all users who utilize Chrome's built-in translation features, making it a widespread concern that impacts both individual privacy and enterprise security postures.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network communication, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1041 by enabling data transmission that can be intercepted and analyzed by adversaries. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in protocol selection, where the application chose an insecure communication method for handling sensitive data rather than implementing proper encryption. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched Chrome versions, deploying network segmentation measures to limit exposure, and educating users about the risks of using translation features on untrusted networks. The remediation process requires browser updates to enforce HTTPS connections for translation services, along with network monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized traffic interception. This case highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper protocol implementation in web browsers, particularly when handling user-sensitive data through network communications.