CVE-2011-3876 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 15.0.874.102 does not properly handle downloading files that have whitespace characters at the end of a filename, which has unspecified impact and user-assisted remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3876 represents a file handling flaw within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 15.0.874.102. This issue specifically manifests when the browser encounters files with trailing whitespace characters in their filenames during the download process. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and handling, which is commonly associated with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation. The flaw exists in the browser's file download mechanism where it fails to properly sanitize or normalize filenames that contain trailing whitespace characters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through user-assisted remote attack vectors where malicious actors can craft specially formatted download links or file names that include trailing whitespace characters. When Chrome processes these filenames, the browser's handling mechanism becomes confused by the whitespace characters, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior during file operations. This could result in various security implications including but not limited to file overwrites, incorrect file associations, or manipulation of the download process itself. The unspecified impact suggests that the vulnerability could potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary code or gain unauthorized access to system resources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users who may inadvertently download malicious files with trailing whitespace characters in their names. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that victims must actively interact with the malicious content, typically by clicking on download links or visiting compromised websites. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in social engineering scenarios where users might be tricked into downloading seemingly legitimate files that contain hidden malicious payloads. The attack surface extends across all versions of Chrome prior to 15.0.874.102, making it a widespread concern for organizations and individuals using older browser versions.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate updating of Google Chrome to version 15.0.874.102 or later, which includes proper handling of filenames with trailing whitespace characters. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all browser installations remain current with security updates. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to detect and block suspicious download attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying download sources and being cautious when encountering unexpected download prompts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1193 - Spearphishing Attachment, as it represents a method for delivering malicious payloads through compromised download mechanisms that could be leveraged by threat actors to establish initial access or persistence within target environments.