CVE-2011-3910 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 16.0.912.63 does not properly handle YUV video frames, which 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 • 11/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3910 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Google Chrome's handling of YUV video frames. This issue exists in Chrome versions prior to 16.0.912.63 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and memory management within the browser's multimedia processing pipeline. The flaw specifically manifests when Chrome encounters YUV video frame data that exceeds expected boundaries or contains malformed structures, leading to memory access violations that can be exploited remotely.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the processing of YUV video frames, which are commonly used in video compression and streaming applications. YUV color space representation requires careful handling of pixel data and frame dimensions, and when Chrome fails to validate these parameters properly, it creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious video content that triggers memory access patterns beyond allocated buffers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which specifically addresses issues where array indices are not properly validated before use. The flaw operates at the intersection of multimedia processing and memory safety, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal web browsing activities involving video content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against Chrome users without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The out-of-bounds read condition can cause Chrome to crash or behave unpredictably, effectively rendering the browser unusable for the affected user. This represents a significant threat to user experience and productivity, particularly in enterprise environments where browser stability is critical. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users from anywhere on the internet without needing physical access to the victim's system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1203 - Exploitation for Execution technique, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns. Attackers can craft malicious websites or embed malicious video content in documents that trigger the vulnerability when users view the content in Chrome. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this particularly dangerous for phishing campaigns or targeted attacks where the goal is to disrupt user activities or gain access to systems through secondary exploitation methods. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where users frequently access untrusted web content or where browser-based attacks are a known threat vector. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated and implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious video content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3910 primarily focus on immediate software updates to versions 16.0.912.63 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Browser vendors typically address such issues by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms for multimedia data processing. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as sandboxing, content filtering, and network monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to malicious video content and ensure that their incident response procedures include specific protocols for browser-based vulnerabilities. The patching process should be prioritized as part of routine security maintenance, with particular attention to ensuring that all users within the organization are updated to secure versions of Chrome. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions that can block access to known malicious domains or content that might trigger this vulnerability during the patch deployment period.