CVE-2011-3094 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 19.0.1084.46 does not properly handle Tibetan text, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3094 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 19.0.1084.46 that specifically manifests when processing Tibetan text. This issue falls under the category of improper input validation and memory handling within the browser's text rendering engine, creating a potential vector for remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks. The flaw exploits the browser's insufficient handling of complex Unicode text structures, particularly those used in Tibetan script which employs unique character combinations and rendering requirements.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper memory access patterns when Chrome attempts to process Tibetan text characters that contain specific Unicode sequences or combining marks. The out-of-bounds read vulnerability allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially leading to application instability or system crashes. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, which is a common weakness in software applications that fail to properly validate input data before processing. The specific trigger involves Tibetan text rendering where the browser's text processing pipeline does not adequately check array indices or buffer limits when handling multi-byte Unicode characters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it could potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within a broader exploitation framework. When a user visits a malicious website containing specially crafted Tibetan text, the browser's rendering engine may attempt to access invalid memory locations, causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers use browser vulnerabilities to compromise user systems. The remote nature of the attack means that users do not need to perform any interactive actions beyond visiting the compromised webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or malicious advertising networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3094 primarily focus on immediate software updates and browser patch management. Users should upgrade to Google Chrome version 19.0.1084.46 or later, which includes fixes for the Tibetan text handling issues. System administrators should implement automated patch management solutions to ensure all browser installations remain current with security updates. Additional defensive measures include implementing web content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious text rendering patterns, though such approaches may impact legitimate Tibetan language content. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper Unicode text handling in web browsers, as it demonstrates how complex character sets can expose memory safety issues in application code. Organizations should consider implementing browser security policies that enforce regular updates and maintain awareness of browser-specific vulnerabilities through security bulletins and threat intelligence feeds.