CVE-2011-3097 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The PDF functionality in Google Chrome before 19.0.1084.46 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact by leveraging an out-of-bounds write error in the implementation of sampled functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3097 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within Google Chrome's PDF rendering component that existed prior to version 19.0.1084.46. This issue specifically affects the implementation of sampled functions within the PDF processing engine, creating a potential attack vector that adversaries could exploit to compromise system integrity. The flaw resides in how Chrome handles certain PDF documents containing maliciously crafted sampled function data, which triggers memory corruption during the rendering process. Such vulnerabilities in browser PDF engines are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered simply by visiting a malicious website or opening a compromised PDF document, making them ideal candidates for drive-by attack scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions where an application writes data past the end of a buffer or array. When Chrome processes PDF files containing malformed sampled function data, the PDF engine fails to properly validate input boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability. The sampled functions in question are typically used in PDF graphics processing and audio/video sampling operations, making them integral components of PDF rendering functionality. Attackers can craft PDF documents that exploit this boundary condition by providing excessive or malformed parameters to these sampled functions, causing the memory layout to be overwritten beyond intended limits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it potentially enables remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could permit attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack surface is particularly broad since PDF documents can be embedded in web pages, sent as email attachments, or hosted on malicious websites, making exploitation relatively straightforward. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex multimedia processing components within web browsers, where specialized libraries handling rich media content often contain numerous attack vectors due to the complexity of their implementations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3097 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and browser hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating Chrome to version 19.0.1084.46 or later, which includes fixes addressing the out-of-bounds write condition in PDF processing. Additional protective measures include implementing strict content filtering policies that restrict PDF document access, disabling PDF viewing in web browsers when not required, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious PDF content. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current browser versions and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management programs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1203, which involves exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to establish persistent access through browser-based attack chains.