CVE-2011-3908 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 16.0.912.63 does not properly parse SVG documents, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3908 represents a critical parsing flaw within Google Chrome's handling of Scalable Vector Graphics documents. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 16.0.912.63 and demonstrates a failure in the browser's security architecture when processing malformed SVG content. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within Chrome's rendering engine, specifically when parsing vector graphics that contain malformed or crafted data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during SVG document parsing. When Chrome encounters specially crafted SVG elements, the parsing routine fails to properly validate array indices or memory boundaries, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-125 category of Out-of-Bounds Read, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because SVG documents are commonly embedded in web pages and can be delivered through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to cause browser crashes, application instability, and in some cases, may be able to execute arbitrary code through memory corruption techniques. The nature of the vulnerability means that users can be compromised simply by visiting a malicious webpage or viewing an infected email attachment containing crafted SVG content. This makes it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when users browse untrusted websites, as the attack requires no user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it represents a client-side exploitation vector that can lead to broader system compromise. The remediation strategy involves immediate patching of Chrome browsers to version 16.0.912.63 or later, which includes memory validation fixes and improved input sanitization for SVG parsing routines. Organizations should also implement network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block suspicious SVG content, while users should maintain awareness of the risks associated with viewing untrusted web content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in browser security architectures, particularly for complex document formats like SVG that require sophisticated parsing and rendering capabilities.