CVE-2011-3063 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 18.0.1025.142 does not properly validate the renderer s navigation requests, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3063 affects Google Chrome versions prior to 18.0.1025.142 and represents a critical validation flaw in the browser's renderer process navigation handling mechanism. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the Chrome browser's architecture where the renderer component fails to properly verify navigation requests originating from web content. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of browser security boundaries where legitimate user navigation requests can be manipulated to bypass intended security controls.
The technical flaw manifests in the renderer process's inadequate validation of navigation requests, allowing malicious web content to potentially exploit this weakness through crafted navigation attempts. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-122 category of "Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" as attackers can leverage this flaw through malicious javascript code that attempts to manipulate renderer navigation behavior. The renderer process in Chrome operates with specific privileges and security boundaries that are compromised when navigation requests are not properly validated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it creates potential attack vectors for remote code execution and arbitrary code execution within the browser environment. An attacker could craft malicious web pages that exploit this navigation validation flaw to execute unauthorized actions within the browser's renderer process, potentially leading to complete browser compromise. The unspecified impact mentioned in the original description suggests that the vulnerability could enable various attack scenarios including but not limited to cross-site scripting attacks, privilege escalation, or information disclosure. This vulnerability particularly affects users who browse untrusted websites, as the exploitation can occur through standard web navigation without requiring additional user interaction beyond visiting malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3063 primarily involve immediate browser updates to version 18.0.1025.142 or later where the validation mechanisms have been properly implemented. Organizations should enforce strict browser update policies and maintain current security patches to prevent exploitation of this class of vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies, using web application firewalls, and deploying browser security extensions that can detect and block suspicious navigation attempts. Security professionals should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that web content is properly sanitized to prevent exploitation through malicious javascript or other web-based attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in browser security architecture and highlights the critical need for robust security controls in renderer processes that handle user navigation requests.