CVE-2011-3104 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Skia, as used in Google Chrome before 19.0.1084.52, 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 • 03/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3104 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Skia graphics library implementation that was integrated into Google Chrome browser versions prior to 19.0.1084.52. This issue manifests as a denial of service condition that can be remotely exploited by attackers through unspecified attack vectors, potentially compromising the stability and availability of affected systems. The Skia graphics library serves as a core component in Chrome's rendering engine, responsible for handling graphics operations and visual elements across web pages, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for browser security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within Skia's graphics processing routines, specifically when handling certain graphic elements or rendering operations. An attacker can craft malicious web content that triggers an out-of-bounds memory read when Chrome attempts to process the graphics data through the vulnerable Skia implementation. This flaw falls under the category of memory safety issues and can be classified as a CWE-125 vulnerability, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, system instability, or potential exploitation for more severe attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in input validation and memory management within graphics rendering components.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3104 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially be leveraged to gather sensitive information from memory locations or cause unpredictable behavior in the affected browser. When exploited, this vulnerability can result in browser crashes, rendering pages unusable, and potentially providing attackers with insights into memory layout or system state. The remote exploitation capability means that users need not interact directly with malicious content, as simply visiting a compromised website can trigger the vulnerability. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves gaining access through web-based attacks and demonstrates the real-world threat posed by such browser-level vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching and updating of affected Chrome browser versions to 19.0.1084.52 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the Skia graphics library implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies and consider deploying automated patch management systems to ensure timely remediation across all endpoints. Additionally, security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement web filtering solutions that can block access to known malicious domains. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date graphics libraries and the critical need for regular security assessments of browser components, particularly those handling multimedia and graphics rendering functions. This case demonstrates how seemingly isolated graphics library issues can pose significant risks to overall browser security and user safety, emphasizing the interconnected nature of modern software security concerns.