CVE-2011-3954 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 17.0.963.46 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via vectors that trigger a large amount of database usage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3954 represents a denial of service flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 17.0.963.46 that can be exploited by remote attackers to cause application instability. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the browser encounters conditions that trigger excessive database usage patterns, leading to system crashes and service disruption. The flaw resides in how Chrome handles database operations within its rendering engine, particularly when processing web content that generates substantial database activity. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or content that, when loaded in the browser, triggers an abnormal accumulation of database operations that eventually overwhelms the application's resource management capabilities. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the browser's internal database handling mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and resource management within Chrome's database subsystem. When processing web content that generates excessive database operations, the browser fails to properly limit or throttle database usage patterns, allowing malicious actors to consume system resources at an unsustainable rate. This flaw can be categorized under CWE-400, which addresses unspecified resource exhaustion, and relates to CWE-770, concerning allocation of resources without limits or throttling. The vulnerability operates through the browser's IndexedDB API and other database storage mechanisms that Chrome utilizes for web applications and local storage. The attack vector involves delivering web content that triggers database operations in a manner that causes the application to crash or become unresponsive, effectively creating a denial of service condition that impacts user experience and system availability.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to both individual users and enterprise environments where Chrome serves as the primary browser. Users may experience unexpected application crashes when visiting malicious websites or encountering compromised web content, leading to loss of productivity and potential exposure to further attacks. In enterprise settings, the vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt business operations through targeted attacks against specific users or systems. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be executed through standard web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how browser-based applications can be leveraged for system disruption. Organizations using affected Chrome versions face the risk of repeated crashes and potential system instability that could impact overall productivity and user satisfaction.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3954 primarily focus on immediate software updates and browser version management. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Google Chrome version 17.0.963.46 or later, which includes patches addressing the database resource management issues. Organizations should implement automated update mechanisms to ensure all systems receive the latest security patches promptly. Additionally, network administrators can deploy web filtering solutions that block access to known malicious domains and implement content security policies to limit database access from untrusted sources. Browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary database APIs for specific applications or implementing stricter resource quotas for database operations can provide additional protection layers. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be established to quickly address any reported crashes or service disruptions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious database operation patterns that could trigger this vulnerability.