CVE-2011-3103 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google V8, as used in Google Chrome before 19.0.1084.52, does not properly perform garbage collection, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3103 affects Google V8 JavaScript engine, which serves as the core execution environment for Google Chrome browser versions prior to 19.0.1084.52. This issue stems from improper garbage collection mechanisms within the V8 engine, creating a critical security flaw that remote attackers can exploit through carefully crafted JavaScript code. The vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the memory management system of the JavaScript engine, which is integral to modern web browsers and web application execution environments.
The technical flaw manifests in the garbage collection process where V8 fails to properly identify and reclaim unused memory objects during runtime execution. This improper memory management creates conditions where malicious JavaScript code can trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion scenarios. When attackers exploit this vulnerability through crafted JavaScript payloads, the V8 engine's memory management system becomes unstable, leading to application crashes or potentially more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and can be classified as a CWE-401: Improper Release of Memory Before Removal from Resource Pool, which directly relates to inadequate garbage collection mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3103 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks that could compromise browser security boundaries. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to cause application instability, leading to service disruption for end users and potentially creating opportunities for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of web browsers by undermining the isolation between different web content contexts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where adversaries can use JavaScript to exploit memory management flaws in browser engines. The impact can be particularly severe in environments where users are exposed to untrusted web content, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3103 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of Google Chrome where the garbage collection implementation has been corrected. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of Chrome version 19.0.1084.52 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the improper garbage collection behavior. Additionally, browser hardening measures including sandboxing configurations and content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should implement monitoring for unusual JavaScript execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory-intensive operations that could trigger the garbage collection flaw. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management processes, as it demonstrates how fundamental engine-level flaws can create widespread security implications across entire browser ecosystems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious JavaScript patterns associated with this vulnerability type.