CVE-2011-3420 in Cr-48 Chromebook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Google Chrome before 14.0.835.157 on the Acer AC700, Samsung Series 5, and Cr-48 Chromebook platforms have unknown impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3420 represents a significant security concern affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 14.0.835.157 across specific hardware platforms including the Acer AC700, Samsung Series 5, and Cr-48 Chromebook devices. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerabilities, indicating that the exact nature and scope of the security flaws remain partially undisclosed or were not fully detailed in the initial reporting. The affected platforms represent early Chromebook implementations that were transitioning from traditional computing models to cloud-centric environments, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation given their limited security surface and emerging technology adoption.
The technical flaw within Chrome versions before 14.0.835.157 stems from the browser's handling of various components that operate differently on these specific hardware platforms. These devices utilize ARM-based processors and specialized Chrome OS implementations that may have introduced unique attack surfaces not present in standard x86 architectures. The vulnerability likely involves memory corruption issues, privilege escalation mechanisms, or code execution flaws that could be exploited through malicious web content or compromised websites. Given the nature of Chrome's architecture and its integration with the underlying operating system, these vulnerabilities could potentially allow attackers to bypass security controls that are typically enforced in more established browser environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3420 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as these Chromebook devices were designed for mobile computing and often contained sensitive user data, corporate information, and personal credentials. The attack vectors for these vulnerabilities remain unspecified, but they likely involve web-based exploitation techniques that could be delivered through malicious websites, phishing campaigns, or compromised advertising networks. The affected platforms' reliance on Chrome as the primary interface for all computing activities means that exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. Organizations deploying these devices in enterprise environments faced significant risk due to the limited security controls available on these early Chromebook implementations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3420 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Chrome version 14.0.835.157 or later, which would contain patches addressing the unspecified vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies specifically targeting these early Chromebook platforms, as these devices often received security updates through different channels than traditional desktop systems. Additional defensive measures include implementing web filtering solutions, disabling unnecessary browser features, and establishing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-119, which addresses memory safety issues, and may relate to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection. Given the hardware-specific nature of the affected platforms, administrators should also consider implementing device-specific security policies and monitoring for unusual system behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts.