CVE-2011-3875 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 15.0.874.102 does not properly handle drag and drop operations on URL strings, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to spoof the URL bar via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-3875 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome browsers prior to version 15.0.874.102, specifically related to how the browser handles drag and drop operations involving URL strings. This issue falls under the category of user interface spoofing attacks that exploit the browser's handling of web content manipulation. The flaw enables remote attackers to potentially deceive users into believing they are visiting a legitimate website when in fact they are interacting with a maliciously crafted page. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within Chrome's drag and drop implementation, particularly when processing URL strings that are being moved or copied between different contexts within the browser environment.
Technical analysis reveals that the flaw occurs during the processing of drag and drop operations where URL strings are manipulated by user interactions. When users drag URL content from one location to another within the browser interface, Chrome fails to properly sanitize or validate the URL information being transferred. This improper handling allows attackers to craft malicious URL strings that can be manipulated through drag and drop actions to appear as legitimate web addresses in the browser's address bar. The vulnerability is classified as a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that successful exploitation requires some form of user interaction, typically involving the user performing a drag and drop operation with maliciously crafted URL content. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the attack could potentially occur through various methods of URL manipulation within the browser's interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple visual deception, as it creates a potential pathway for more sophisticated phishing attacks and credential theft operations. When users see a spoofed URL in the address bar, they may unknowingly enter sensitive information such as login credentials or personal data, believing they are interacting with a legitimate website. This type of attack directly violates the principle of least privilege and trust in web browser security models, as it undermines the user's ability to verify the authenticity of the website they believe they are visiting. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker placing malicious content on a webpage that can be dragged and dropped into a target browser window, where the URL bar displays a false representation of the actual page location. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and sanitization in browser security implementations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3875 should focus on both immediate patching and enhanced browser security configurations. The primary solution involves updating to Google Chrome version 15.0.874.102 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly handle drag and drop operations with URL strings. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all browser instances are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include enabling browser security features such as strict content security policies, implementing user education programs about phishing awareness, and monitoring for suspicious drag and drop activities in web environments. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers phishing through social engineering, and CWE-20 which addresses improper input validation. The fix implemented by Google likely involved strengthening the validation of URL content during drag and drop operations and ensuring proper sanitization of URL strings before display in the address bar, thereby preventing the spoofing of web addresses through user interaction manipulation.