CVE-2011-3879 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 15.0.874.102 does not prevent redirects to chrome: URLs, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3879 affects Google Chrome versions prior to 15.0.874.102 and represents a critical security flaw in the browser's handling of URL redirects. This issue stems from the browser's insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly restrict redirects to chrome: protocol URLs, which are typically reserved for internal browser operations and should not be accessible through user-initiated navigation. The vulnerability enables malicious actors to exploit this weakness through crafted web content that could trigger unintended redirects to chrome: URLs, potentially compromising the browser's security model and user data integrity.
The technical flaw manifests in Chrome's URL processing pipeline where the browser fails to adequately validate redirect targets, particularly those using the chrome: protocol scheme. This protocol is designed to provide access to Chrome's internal resources and user interface elements, but when improperly handled, it can allow attackers to manipulate browser behavior in unexpected ways. The vulnerability specifically affects the redirect handling mechanism within Chrome's navigation system, where the browser's security boundaries are crossed when processing redirect requests that target internal chrome: URLs. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and protocol handling, which aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation and CWE-170 - Improper Null Termination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser manipulation to encompass potential remote code execution and privilege escalation scenarios. Attackers can leverage this flaw through phishing campaigns or compromised websites to execute malicious redirects that could potentially access sensitive browser functionality, manipulate user sessions, or extract information from the victim's browsing context. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the consequences could vary significantly depending on the specific chrome: URL targeted and the user's browsing context, potentially enabling attacks that could compromise the entire browser sandbox or access user credentials and personal data. This vulnerability particularly affects the browser's security model by undermining the isolation between user-initiated content and internal browser operations, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited in conjunction with other browser-based exploits.
The remote attack vectors enabled by this vulnerability make it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios where users might encounter malicious content through email attachments, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns. The attack surface is broad as any web page that allows redirects to chrome: URLs could potentially be exploited, making this vulnerability particularly effective in mass attack scenarios. Security researchers have noted that this type of vulnerability could be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter technique, where attackers leverage browser-based scripting and navigation to execute malicious operations. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires user interaction through visiting a malicious website, making it particularly challenging to defend against without proper browser updates and user education.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3879 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to version 15.0.874.102 or later, which contain the necessary patches to properly validate redirect targets and prevent unauthorized access to chrome: protocol URLs. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, particularly those targeting chrome: protocol schemes. Browser security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that unnecessary permissions are not granted to web content, and users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. The patch released by Google addresses the core validation issue in Chrome's URL processing system, implementing stricter checks on redirect targets to prevent any unauthorized access to internal browser resources. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current browser versions and implementing layered security approaches that protect against both known and emerging threats in the evolving landscape of web-based attacks.