CVE-2011-3917 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in FileWatcher in Google Chrome before 16.0.912.63 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3917 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the FileWatcher component of Google Chrome browser versions prior to 16.0.912.63. This issue resides in the browser's handling of file system monitoring functionality, which is integral to Chrome's operation and security model. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management practices within the FileWatcher module, creating an exploitable condition that could be leveraged by malicious actors to compromise system integrity. The flaw manifests when the browser processes certain file system events or operations, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of operating system security and web browser architecture, where the boundary between user-space applications and system-level file operations becomes a critical attack surface.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the stack memory management of Chrome's FileWatcher component, which is responsible for monitoring file system changes and events. When processing specific file operations or handling file system notifications, the vulnerable code fails to properly validate the size of input data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious code. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it could enable remote code execution under certain conditions, making it particularly dangerous for web-based attacks. The attack vectors remain unspecified in the original description, suggesting that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, including crafted web content or malicious file system operations that trigger the vulnerable code path.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3917 presents significant risks to users of affected Chrome versions, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction or specialized privileges. Attackers could craft malicious web pages or manipulate file system events to trigger the buffer overflow, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data loss. The vulnerability affects the core browser functionality and could be leveraged in advanced persistent threat scenarios where attackers seek to establish persistent access to target systems. Organizations using older Chrome versions remain exposed to this risk, as the flaw exists in the browser's fundamental file system handling mechanisms. The potential for unspecified other impacts indicates that the vulnerability could enable additional attack vectors beyond the immediate denial of service or code execution scenarios, potentially affecting system stability, data integrity, or confidentiality. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a critical weakness in the software's memory safety mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3917 require immediate browser version updates to 16.0.912.63 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict file system access permissions, deploying network monitoring tools to detect anomalous file system activity, and maintaining regular security assessments of browser environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in preventing buffer overflow exploits, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1133 for external remote services. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted code and maintain network segmentation to limit potential attack scope. Regular security training for personnel on recognizing potentially malicious web content and file system operations remains crucial in defending against exploitation attempts that leverage such vulnerabilities.