CVE-2011-3047 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The GPU process in Google Chrome before 17.0.963.79 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) by leveraging an error in the plug-in loading mechanism.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3047 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's GPU process architecture that existed prior to version 17.0.963.79. This issue stems from improper handling within the plugin loading mechanism, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the browser's graphics processing capabilities. The vulnerability specifically targets the GPU process which is responsible for rendering graphics-intensive content and managing hardware acceleration features. When Chrome loads plugins, particularly those that interact with graphics processing, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, leading to potential memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes in buffer operations. The flaw manifests when the GPU process handles plugin initialization sequences, particularly those involving graphics drivers or multimedia components. Attackers can craft malicious plugin content or manipulate existing plugins to trigger memory corruption within the GPU process, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the GPU process or cause a complete system crash through denial of service conditions. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser security and graphics processing, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring special user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3047 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass significant system compromise potential. Since the GPU process runs with elevated privileges and has direct access to graphics hardware, successful exploitation could enable attackers to bypass traditional security boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core browser architecture and can be triggered through normal browsing activities, making it difficult for users to protect against without updating their browser software. Organizations and individual users who remained on affected Chrome versions were exposed to potential full system compromise, especially in environments where browser-based attacks were already prevalent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates to versions 17.0.963.79 or later where the issue has been resolved through proper input validation and memory management in the GPU process plugin loading mechanism. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict plugin execution, utilizing sandboxing technologies, and monitoring for unusual GPU process behavior. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles, specifically the T1059 technique for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage the compromised GPU process to execute malicious commands. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation of this vulnerability in the wild.