CVE-2011-3038 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome before 17.0.963.65 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to multi-column handling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3038 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 17.0.963.65 that fundamentally compromises the browser's memory management integrity. This issue specifically manifests during the processing of multi-column layouts within web pages, where the browser's rendering engine fails to properly manage memory references after objects have been freed from memory. The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the domain of memory safety issues that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The flaw occurs when Chrome's layout engine processes complex multi-column CSS layouts, leading to scenarios where freed memory blocks are still being referenced by subsequent operations, creating a dangerous condition that adversaries can manipulate for exploitation purposes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution in targeted scenarios. When attackers craft malicious web pages containing specific multi-column CSS properties, they can trigger the use-after-free condition in Chrome's rendering pipeline, causing the browser to access memory that has already been deallocated. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, rendering failures, or more critically, the potential for attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the browser context. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that simply visiting a compromised website could be sufficient to trigger the malicious conditions, making it particularly dangerous for end users who may not be aware of the underlying security risk.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations, and demonstrates how seemingly benign CSS layout features can become attack vectors when proper memory management controls are absent. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Chrome's widespread adoption and the fact that multi-column layouts are common web design elements. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk places it within the ATT&CK framework's initial access and execution phases, where adversaries can leverage browser vulnerabilities to establish persistent access to target systems. Organizations relying on Chrome for web browsing operations face significant exposure risks, as this vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any specialized tools or user interaction beyond visiting malicious sites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3038 primarily focus on immediate remediation through browser updates to version 17.0.963.65 or later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes to prevent the use-after-free condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly across enterprise environments. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security extensions, configuring content filtering systems to block suspicious web content, and establishing user awareness training to recognize potentially malicious websites. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for exploit patterns associated with this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, as the vulnerability's nature makes it particularly suitable for advanced persistent threat campaigns targeting enterprise environments.