CVE-2011-3027 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 17.0.963.56 does not properly perform a cast of an unspecified variable during handling of columns, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unknown other impact via a crafted document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3027 represents a critical type confusion issue within Google Chrome's rendering engine that existed prior to version 17.0.963.56. This flaw manifests during the processing of HTML table columns where the browser fails to properly validate or cast an unspecified variable type, creating a potential avenue for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability specifically impacts Chrome's handling of table structures and column operations, making it particularly dangerous when processing crafted HTML documents that manipulate table layouts and column properties.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of type confusion or improper type casting, which is classified as CWE-466 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. This type of flaw occurs when a program incorrectly handles operations involving different data types, particularly when a variable intended to hold one type of data is unexpectedly treated as another type. In Chrome's case, the improper casting during column handling operations creates a scenario where memory operations may execute with incorrect assumptions about data types, potentially leading to memory corruption or unexpected behavior. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the description suggests potential for unknown other impacts, indicating possible code execution or privilege escalation possibilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to users who may encounter crafted web pages containing malicious table structures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating specially designed HTML documents that trigger the problematic code path during table rendering, potentially causing Chrome to crash or behave unpredictably. The remote nature of this attack vector means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or opening compromised email attachments containing HTML content. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and type safety in browser rendering engines, as even seemingly benign HTML table operations can become attack vectors when type handling is inadequate.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3027 primarily focus on updating to Chrome version 17.0.963.56 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the type casting issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of browser updates across all endpoints. Additionally, security-conscious administrators can consider implementing browser security policies that restrict access to untrusted web content and employ sandboxing techniques to limit potential damage from exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and execution through web-based attacks, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that protect against both known and emerging browser vulnerabilities.