CVE-2011-3057 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google V8, as used in Google Chrome before 17.0.963.83, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via vectors that trigger an invalid read operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3057 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Google V8 JavaScript engine, which serves as the core execution engine for Google Chrome browser. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of Chrome prior to 17.0.963.83, where the V8 engine fails to properly validate memory operations during JavaScript execution. The flaw manifests as an invalid read operation that can be triggered remotely by malicious actors, potentially leading to system instability and service disruption. The vulnerability resides in the engine's memory management and validation mechanisms, where insufficient bounds checking allows unauthorized memory access patterns that could crash the browser process or cause unexpected behavior.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious JavaScript code that triggers memory access violations within the V8 engine's execution environment. The invalid read operation occurs when the engine attempts to access memory locations that are either unmapped or outside the valid address space allocated for the current execution context. This type of memory corruption vulnerability typically stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient bounds checking within the JavaScript engine's interpreter or just-in-time compiler components.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users of affected Chrome versions, as it enables remote code execution through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction. The denial of service condition can result in complete browser crashes, rendering websites inaccessible and potentially allowing attackers to disrupt normal web browsing operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that malicious actors can leverage it through compromised websites, phishing attacks, or malicious advertisements without needing physical access to the target system. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often serve as precursors to more sophisticated attacks, as they provide attackers with opportunities to establish footholds within target environments.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3057 primarily involve immediate software updates to Chrome versions that contain patched V8 engine implementations. Google's security team addressed this vulnerability by implementing enhanced memory validation checks and improving bounds checking mechanisms within the V8 JavaScript engine. Organizations should prioritize patch management to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based content delivery. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that the patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing web applications while maintaining the security improvements necessary to prevent exploitation of this memory corruption vulnerability. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of continuous security monitoring and timely patch deployment in maintaining robust cybersecurity defenses against evolving threat landscapes.