CVE-2011-3070 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome before 18.0.1025.151 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to the Google V8 bindings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3070 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 18.0.1025.151 that specifically targets the V8 JavaScript engine bindings. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating a dangerous state where malicious actors can manipulate the system behavior through carefully crafted inputs. The issue is particularly concerning because it affects the core JavaScript engine that powers web applications and browser functionality, making it a prime target for exploitation in web-based attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the V8 bindings, which are the interfaces that allow JavaScript code to interact with native C++ objects and functions. When the V8 engine processes certain JavaScript operations involving object binding, it fails to properly manage the lifecycle of memory allocations, leading to situations where freed memory blocks can be accessed or reused by subsequent operations. This flaw specifically manifests when handling certain JavaScript objects that interact with native bindings, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the memory state to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more severe consequences including remote code execution and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious web pages that trigger the specific JavaScript code paths leading to the use-after-free condition. When a victim visits such a page, the browser's JavaScript engine executes the malicious code, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's system with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a significant risk in environments where users browse untrusted websites or receive malicious email attachments containing compromised web content.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software systems, and demonstrates how memory safety issues in high-level scripting engines can translate to critical security risks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation through browser-based exploits, as attackers can leverage the compromised browser to gain access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to prevent exploitation, while also implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering to reduce the attack surface.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Chrome updates to version 18.0.1025.151 or later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as sandboxing, strict content security policies, and regular security audits of web applications can help reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement proper incident response procedures to address potential breaches. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of continuous security testing and memory safety verification in complex software systems, particularly those involving high-level scripting languages and native code integration.