CVE-2011-3084 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 19.0.1084.46 does not use a dedicated process for the loading of links found on an internal page, which might allow attackers to bypass intended sandbox restrictions via a crafted page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3084 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 19.0.1084.46 where the browser fails to implement proper process isolation for handling links within internal pages. This design oversight creates a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the browser's sandboxing mechanisms that are specifically engineered to contain potential threats and limit their access to system resources. The issue stems from Chrome's architecture where certain internal page elements do not spawn separate processes for link loading, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code beyond the intended sandbox boundaries. This vulnerability directly impacts the browser's security model and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege that should govern how applications handle different types of content and resources.
The technical flaw manifests in how Chrome manages the loading of hyperlinks within internal web pages, particularly those generated by the browser itself or associated with system-level functionality. When a user interacts with a link on such an internal page, the browser does not create a separate isolated process to handle the navigation or resource loading, unlike how it handles external web content. This process reuse creates a scenario where malicious code embedded within a crafted page can potentially access memory spaces or system resources that should be restricted to the sandboxed environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to leverage the browser's own internal mechanisms against itself, effectively bypassing the multi-process architecture that Chrome employs as its primary defense against web-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges or access sensitive system information. An attacker could craft a malicious webpage that, when loaded in Chrome, would allow them to escape the sandbox and gain access to the underlying operating system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector typically involves creating a specially crafted page that exploits the process isolation weakness to bypass Chrome's security boundaries. This vulnerability particularly affects users who may inadvertently visit malicious websites or who are targeted through phishing campaigns that leverage this specific weakness in Chrome's architecture.
Organizations and individual users should immediately update to Chrome version 19.0.1084.46 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix implemented by Google addresses the core issue by ensuring that all link loading operations within internal pages occur in dedicated processes separate from the main browser process. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, employing content filtering solutions, and maintaining strict browser security policies that limit access to potentially malicious websites. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves command and scripting interpreters, as attackers could leverage this weakness to execute malicious code within the browser environment. The remediation process should also include regular security assessments and browser hardening procedures to ensure that similar architectural weaknesses do not exist in other browser components or related applications.