CVE-2011-3905 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
libxml2, as used in Google Chrome before 16.0.912.63, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3905 affects libxml2, a widely used XML parsing library that serves as a fundamental component in numerous applications including Google Chrome browser. This security flaw represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to trigger denial of service scenarios. The vulnerability specifically impacts Google Chrome versions prior to 16.0.912.63, where the browser's integration with libxml2 creates a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate XML processing operations. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw can be triggered through various XML content manipulation techniques, potentially including malformed documents, specially crafted payloads, or unexpected data structures within XML parsing contexts. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and can be classified as a CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read according to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions that may require browser restarts or system reboots to resolve. When exploited, the out-of-bounds read can cause Chrome to crash or behave unpredictably, effectively preventing users from accessing web content. The vulnerability demonstrates how deeply integrated third-party libraries can create cascading security risks within complex software ecosystems, particularly in browsers where XML processing is often required for various web standards and features. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or XML content that, when processed by the vulnerable Chrome version, triggers the memory access violation, leading to application instability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, where adversaries target application stability to disrupt user access to services. The issue underscores the importance of regular security updates and the risks associated with outdated library versions. Organizations and users must maintain updated software versions to protect against such vulnerabilities that can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges. The affected libxml2 library version likely contains insufficient bounds checking during XML parsing operations, particularly when handling malformed or unexpected XML structures that could cause memory pointers to exceed valid buffer boundaries. This flaw represents a classic example of how seemingly innocuous parsing operations can become security risks when proper input validation and memory management practices are not implemented. The vulnerability's presence in a browser environment amplifies its potential impact as users may encounter malicious content while browsing the web, making this a particularly concerning issue for widespread deployment. Security researchers and vulnerability analysts have classified this as a medium to high severity issue given its potential for remote exploitation and service disruption. The remediation process requires updating to patched versions of both libxml2 and Google Chrome, with the Chrome update specifically addressing the vulnerability through updated library integration. Organizations should implement automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates, as the window of exposure for such vulnerabilities can be significant. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in XML processing libraries, emphasizing the need for comprehensive testing including fuzzing and boundary condition validation to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases.