CVE-2011-3075 in iOS
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 style-application commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3075 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 18.0.1025.151 that exposes users to potential remote code execution or denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the browser's handling of style-application commands, which are fundamental elements in rendering web content and managing document object model structures. The flaw occurs when Chrome processes certain CSS style commands that manipulate DOM elements, leading to improper memory management during object lifecycle operations. When the browser attempts to apply styles to elements that have already been freed from memory, it creates a scenario where attackers can exploit this memory inconsistency to execute arbitrary code or crash the browser entirely.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Chrome's rendering engine incorrectly managing memory references when processing complex CSS style applications. During normal operation, when a web page applies styles to DOM elements, Chrome maintains references to these elements in memory. However, under specific conditions involving rapid style changes or nested CSS rules, the browser's memory management system fails to properly track element destruction and subsequent access attempts. This use-after-free condition creates a memory access violation that can be manipulated by remote attackers through malicious web content. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and web rendering, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to both individual users and enterprise environments. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain complete control over affected systems, making it a high-value target for cybercriminals. The denial of service aspect alone can be leveraged for persistent harassment or disruption of services, particularly in environments where Chrome is the primary browser. Organizations using outdated Chrome versions remain vulnerable to exploitation, as the vulnerability exists in the rendering engine's core memory management functions rather than being dependent on specific user actions. The attack surface is broad since any webpage that triggers the specific style-application scenario can potentially exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in the context of modern web browsing where users frequently visit untrusted websites.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software systems, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that continue to plague modern web browsers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of Chrome installations to version 18.0.1025.151 or later, as this represents the first release that properly addresses the memory management flaw. Additional mitigations include implementing browser security policies that restrict access to potentially malicious websites, deploying web application firewalls, and maintaining comprehensive network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure all browser installations remain current with security patches, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of timely software updates in maintaining secure computing environments.