CVE-2011-3886 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google V8, as used in Google Chrome before 15.0.874.102, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JavaScript code that triggers out-of-bounds write operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3886 represents a critical security flaw within Google V8 JavaScript engine, which serves as the core execution environment for Google Chrome browser and other applications. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of Chrome prior to 15.0.874.102, making it a significant concern for users running older browser versions. The flaw resides in how the V8 engine handles certain JavaScript code constructs, particularly those involving array operations and memory management, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted JavaScript payloads.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the V8 engine's JavaScript execution environment, which falls under the CWE-129 weakness category of Improper Validation of Array Index. When malicious JavaScript code is executed, it can trigger out-of-bounds write operations that bypass normal memory protection mechanisms. This occurs because the engine fails to properly validate array indices before performing memory writes, allowing attackers to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of JavaScript interpretation and low-level memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3886 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks according to the unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a web browser with the vulnerable version of Chrome, making it highly accessible to threat actors and increasing its attack surface significantly. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript, where adversaries use scripting languages to execute malicious code, and T1499.004 for network denial of service, as the vulnerability can be used to disrupt services through browser-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and updating of affected systems to the patched version of Google Chrome. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all browsers and applications using the V8 engine are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, content security policies, and restricting JavaScript execution in sensitive environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory safety mechanisms in interpreted languages and highlights the need for continuous security auditing of core components like JavaScript engines. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for suspicious JavaScript execution patterns and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other JavaScript engines that may present comparable risks through the same class of exploitation techniques.