CVE-2011-3115 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google V8, as used in Google Chrome before 19.0.1084.52, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors that trigger "type corruption."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3115 affects Google V8 JavaScript engine which serves as the core execution engine for Google Chrome browser version 19.0.1084.52 and earlier. This flaw represents a critical security issue that enables remote attackers to exploit type corruption mechanisms within the JavaScript engine, potentially leading to severe consequences including denial of service conditions and unspecified additional impacts. The vulnerability resides in the fundamental type handling and memory management operations of the V8 engine, which is responsible for executing JavaScript code in web browsers.
The technical flaw manifests through specific vectors that trigger type corruption within the V8 engine's runtime environment. Type corruption occurs when the engine's type system becomes inconsistent or invalidates type information during JavaScript execution, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layouts and execution flows. This corruption can happen when the engine incorrectly handles type transitions or fails to properly validate type information during dynamic JavaScript operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web pages loaded in the browser, making it accessible to attackers who can craft malicious JavaScript code or manipulate existing web content to trigger the corrupt type conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the unspecified other impacts could include arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation depending on the specific exploitation vector and target environment. When attackers successfully trigger type corruption, they may be able to manipulate the memory layout of JavaScript objects, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, or complete browser process takeover. The vulnerability affects all users of affected Chrome versions regardless of their security awareness or system configurations, as the exploitation occurs through normal web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting malicious websites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3115 primarily involve upgrading to Google Chrome version 19.0.1084.52 or later, which contains patches addressing the type corruption vulnerabilities in the V8 engine. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems running affected browser versions are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, content filtering systems, and browser hardening configurations that limit JavaScript execution capabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 (Heap Overflow) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) categories within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, and represents a significant concern for the ATT&CK framework's execution and privilege escalation tactics. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement proper incident response procedures to address potential compromises resulting from successful exploitation of this vulnerability.