CVE-2011-3964 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 17.0.963.46 does not properly implement the drag-and-drop feature, which makes it easier for remote attackers to spoof the URL bar via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3964 represents a significant security flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 17.0.963.46, specifically within the browser's implementation of drag-and-drop functionality. This weakness stems from improper handling of user interface elements during drag operations, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the browser's visual presentation mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web browser security and user interface manipulation, where the expected behavior of drag-and-drop operations fails to properly validate or sanitize the visual feedback provided to users.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in how Chrome processes drag-and-drop events and subsequently updates the user interface components, particularly the address bar or URL display area. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate the visual representation of URLs during drag operations, potentially causing the browser to display misleading information to users. This occurs because the browser's drag-and-drop implementation does not adequately separate the actual URL of the page from the visual representation that appears during user interactions, creating a window of opportunity for spoofing attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts user trust and security awareness within the browser environment. When users observe a misleading URL display during drag operations, they may be deceived into believing they are visiting a legitimate website when in fact they are interacting with malicious content. This spoofing capability directly undermines the fundamental security principle of web browser user interface integrity, where the URL bar serves as a critical trust indicator for users. The vulnerability essentially creates a false sense of security by allowing attackers to manipulate the visual cues that users rely upon for navigation verification.
The security implications extend beyond simple deception to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as phishing operations or credential theft. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to make malicious websites appear more legitimate, increasing the likelihood of user engagement with harmful content. This flaw particularly affects user security awareness since the URL bar is one of the primary mechanisms through which users validate the authenticity of web pages. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that drag-and-drop operations are common browser interactions, making the attack surface more accessible to threat actors.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures, specifically concerning the inadequate implementation of user interface security controls. The flaw represents a failure in the browser's security model to properly validate user interface state transitions during interactive operations. From the ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and user interface spoofing, where adversaries manipulate the user's perception of their environment to facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability also connects to privilege escalation concepts as it enables attackers to potentially gain more trust from users, facilitating subsequent malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3964 require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to the recommended 17.0.963.46 or later releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all users maintain current security versions. Additional defensive measures include browser security hardening configurations, user education about recognizing spoofed interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious drag-and-drop activities. Network security controls such as web application firewalls may provide additional layers of protection, though the primary defense remains the timely application of vendor security patches. Regular security assessments should verify that browser configurations maintain proper security boundaries and that drag-and-drop functionality operates without compromising user interface integrity.