CVE-2011-3058 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 18.0.1025.142 does not properly handle the EUC-JP encoding system, which might allow remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3058 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 18.0.1025.142, specifically relating to improper handling of the EUC-JP encoding system. This encoding method is commonly used for Japanese character representation in web applications and systems. The flaw stems from Chrome's insufficient validation mechanisms when processing EUC-JP encoded content, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. The EUC-JP encoding system employs multi-byte character sequences to represent Japanese text, and the vulnerability occurs when the browser fails to correctly interpret these sequences during rendering processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's failure to properly sanitize or validate EUC-JP encoded data during the parsing and rendering phases of web content. When Chrome encounters EUC-JP encoded characters, particularly in contexts such as form inputs, URL parameters, or dynamic content generation, the improper handling can lead to misinterpretation of character boundaries and encoding states. This misinterpretation creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious payloads that exploit the encoding inconsistencies, potentially allowing them to inject arbitrary JavaScript code or manipulate the browser's interpretation of web content. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple character display issues, as it fundamentally compromises the browser's security model by enabling attackers to bypass standard input validation and sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for users of affected Chrome versions, as it provides remote attackers with a method to execute cross-site scripting attacks without requiring user interaction or specific exploitation conditions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting web pages or content that utilizes EUC-JP encoding in specific ways to trigger the browser's flawed handling behavior. This allows for the execution of malicious scripts within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects all web applications and websites that rely on EUC-JP encoding for Japanese text display or user input processing, making it particularly dangerous in internationalized web environments where Japanese language support is required.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and demonstrates how encoding-related issues can create indirect pathways for XSS attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving code injection through web application vulnerabilities, specifically targeting the browser's rendering engine and input processing mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating affected Chrome installations to version 18.0.1025.142 or later, as this release includes the necessary patches to properly handle EUC-JP encoding. Additional mitigations may include implementing strict content security policies, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications that process internationalized content to ensure proper encoding handling and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited.