CVE-2011-3026 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in libpng, as used in Google Chrome before 17.0.963.56, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors that trigger an integer truncation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3026 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the libpng library implementation that was actively exploited in Google Chrome versions prior to 17.0.963.56. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during image processing operations, specifically when dealing with image dimensions and memory allocation calculations. The flaw manifests when the library processes specially crafted png image files that contain maliciously inflated dimension values, leading to arithmetic overflow conditions that can result in unpredictable behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the libpng library's failure to properly validate and constrain integer values when calculating memory requirements for image buffers. When processing png files, the library performs arithmetic operations on width and height parameters that can exceed the maximum representable value for the integer data type being used. This overflow condition results in integer truncation where the calculated memory allocation becomes significantly smaller than required, creating potential for memory corruption or buffer underflow scenarios. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web-based image loading operations, making it exploitable via web browsers without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for affected systems as it enables remote attackers to potentially execute denial of service attacks or in some cases achieve arbitrary code execution. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that the integer overflow could potentially lead to more severe consequences beyond simple service disruption, including memory corruption that might be leveraged for privilege escalation or information disclosure. The vulnerability affects not only Google Chrome but also any application that relies on libpng for image processing, making it a widespread concern across the software ecosystem. The integer overflow condition can manifest in various ways including heap corruption, stack corruption, or other memory-related anomalies that can compromise system stability and security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3026 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected software components and updating libpng libraries to versions that properly handle integer overflow conditions. Organizations should prioritize updating Google Chrome to version 17.0.963.56 or later, which includes fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content filtering mechanisms can help prevent loading of malicious image files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203, representing exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts through unusual memory allocation patterns or process behavior. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated libpng installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.