CVE-2011-3087 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 19.0.1084.46 does not properly perform window navigation, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3087 affects Google Chrome versions prior to 19.0.1084.46 and relates to improper window navigation handling within the browser's security architecture. This flaw exists in the browser's implementation of cross-origin navigation mechanisms and represents a critical security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors to bypass security restrictions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of navigation operations between different windows or frames, particularly when dealing with cross-origin content. According to CWE-20, this issue falls under the category of "Improper Input Validation" where the browser fails to properly validate navigation parameters and destinations. The technical implementation flaw manifests when Chrome processes window navigation commands that involve moving between different security contexts, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the browser's navigation flow in ways that were not intended by the security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple navigation manipulation and creates potential attack vectors that could lead to serious security consequences. Attackers could leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized navigation to malicious websites, potentially triggering phishing attacks or malware delivery mechanisms. The unspecified nature of the impact suggests that the vulnerability could enable various malicious activities including but not limited to cross-site scripting exploitation, session hijacking, or privilege escalation within the browser's security boundaries. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the browser's sandboxing mechanisms and could potentially allow attackers to circumvent the same-origin policy that protects users from malicious cross-origin operations. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of browser security architecture and user interaction patterns, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited through social engineering or automated attack vectors.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category of "Command and Scripting Interpreter" and potentially T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" when considering how attackers might leverage browser flaws to establish persistent access. The vulnerability could enable attackers to craft malicious web pages that redirect users to compromised sites or inject malicious content into the browser's navigation flow. Security researchers have noted that such window navigation flaws often serve as stepping stones for more complex attacks, as they can be combined with other vulnerabilities to create multi-stage exploitation scenarios. The lack of specific details about the exact impact in the CVE description suggests that the vulnerability may have multiple exploitation paths or that the full scope of potential damage was not fully understood at the time of discovery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3087 should focus on immediate browser updates to version 19.0.1084.46 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the window navigation handling issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser security policies that include regular update scheduling and monitoring for vulnerable browser versions. Network security controls should be enhanced to detect and block malicious navigation patterns that could exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browser software updated. Additionally, security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected Chrome versions and prioritize their remediation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of browser security updates and the need for organizations to maintain robust patch management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening techniques and security extensions that can provide additional protection layers against exploitation of such navigation-based vulnerabilities.