CVE-2011-3928 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome before 16.0.912.77 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to DOM handling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2021
The CVE-2011-3928 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 16.0.912.77 that fundamentally compromises the browser's memory management integrity. This vulnerability specifically targets the Document Object Model handling mechanisms within the browser's rendering engine, creating a scenario where freed memory blocks are accessed after being deallocated. The flaw occurs when the browser's JavaScript engine processes DOM elements that are simultaneously being destroyed and referenced, leading to unpredictable memory states that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of memory after it has been freed, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it leverages the browser's core DOM processing capabilities, which are extensively utilized in web applications and user interactions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate memory addresses that should no longer be accessible, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise. When Chrome processes certain DOM operations, particularly those involving element removal and subsequent access, the memory management system fails to properly track the lifecycle of allocated objects. This creates a window where freed memory segments can be reallocated and subsequently accessed by malicious code, leading to potential code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it can enable privilege escalation and complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. The flaw demonstrates poor memory management practices in the browser's JavaScript engine, where object reference counting and garbage collection mechanisms fail to prevent access to deallocated memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3928 is severe and multifaceted, affecting users across various threat scenarios from casual browsing to targeted attacks. The vulnerability can be exploited through malicious websites or web content that triggers specific DOM operations, making it particularly dangerous in the context of drive-by downloads and phishing attacks. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability can cause browsers to crash, leading to denial of service, or more critically, enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a significant threat to user security and privacy, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, install malware, or perform other malicious activities. The vulnerability's presence in widely used browser versions makes it a prime target for exploitation by threat actors seeking to compromise large numbers of users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3928 require immediate patching and implementation of defensive measures to protect against exploitation. The most effective solution involves updating to Google Chrome version 16.0.912.77 or later, which includes memory management fixes that prevent the use-after-free condition. Organizations should also implement browser hardening measures such as sandboxing, restricted permissions, and content filtering to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement network-based protections to block access to known malicious domains. The vulnerability's exploitation requires specific conditions related to DOM handling, which can be mitigated through proper input validation and sanitization of web content. Additionally, browser security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that unnecessary privileges are not granted to web content, reducing the attack surface and potential impact of such memory corruption vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to verify that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing web applications.