CVE-2011-3051 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) implementation in Google Chrome before 17.0.963.83 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to the cross-fade function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3051 represents a critical use-after-free condition within Google Chrome's CSS rendering engine, specifically affecting versions prior to 17.0.963.83. This flaw resides in the cross-fade function implementation which is part of the browser's cascading style sheets processing capabilities. The cross-fade function is commonly used in web design to smoothly transition between different images or visual elements, making it a frequently utilized feature in modern web applications. The vulnerability manifests when the browser processes CSS properties that involve cross-fade operations, creating conditions where memory locations are accessed after they have been freed by the application's memory management system. This particular implementation flaw falls under the CWE-416 category of use-after-free vulnerabilities, which are classified as serious memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious web pages containing specially constructed CSS code that triggers the cross-fade function in a manner that causes the browser to free memory resources while still referencing them. The cross-fade functionality in Chrome's CSS parser creates complex object relationships and memory allocations that become corrupted when processing malformed input. Attackers can leverage this condition to either crash the browser application through denial of service attacks or potentially execute arbitrary code within the browser's security context. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that the memory corruption could potentially be exploited for more sophisticated attacks beyond simple service disruption. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of modern browser rendering engines where CSS processing can interact with memory management in unpredictable ways, particularly when handling advanced visual effects like cross-fade transitions.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3051 extends beyond simple browser crashes, as it represents a potential gateway for more severe security compromises within the user's computing environment. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires remote code execution through web content, making it particularly dangerous in the context of modern web browsing where users frequently encounter untrusted content from various sources. The vulnerability affects users across different operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms where Chrome is installed, creating a broad attack surface. Browser-based attacks like this one are particularly concerning because they can bypass traditional security measures such as firewalls and antivirus software, as they exploit weaknesses within the application itself rather than the underlying operating system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3051 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser updates, as Google released version 17.0.963.83 to address this specific vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize updating Chrome installations across all affected systems and implement automated update mechanisms to ensure timely patch deployment. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies that restrict the execution of potentially malicious CSS code, using browser sandboxing features that limit the impact of exploited vulnerabilities, and employing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious CSS patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and the need for robust memory safety practices in browser development. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening configurations that disable or restrict advanced CSS features that are less commonly used in enterprise environments. From a security monitoring perspective, network administrators should be vigilant for unusual browser behavior or frequent crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts, as these may serve as early indicators of successful attacks. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining current security patches and the potential risks associated with outdated browser versions in enterprise environments.