CVE-2012-2816 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 20.0.1132.43 on Windows does not properly isolate sandboxed processes, which might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process interference) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2816 represents a critical sandboxing flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 20.0.1132.43 on Windows operating systems. This issue stems from improper process isolation mechanisms within Chrome's security architecture, specifically affecting the browser's ability to maintain secure boundaries between different execution contexts. The vulnerability operates at the core of Chrome's multi-process architecture where each tab and plugin runs in separate processes to prevent malicious code from affecting the main browser application. When sandbox isolation fails, it creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate or interfere with process execution, fundamentally undermining the security model that Chrome employs to protect users from web-based threats.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient memory management and process boundary enforcement within Chrome's Windows-specific sandbox implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web content that leverages process interference techniques to disrupt normal browser operations. The vulnerability does not necessarily enable arbitrary code execution but rather allows for denial of service conditions where legitimate browser processes can be manipulated or terminated by malicious actors. This type of attack falls under the category of process manipulation and resource exhaustion attacks, where the attacker can cause browser instability or complete application shutdown through carefully constructed malicious payloads.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users who rely on Chrome for daily browsing activities, particularly in enterprise environments where browser stability is critical for productivity. The denial of service condition can be exploited to disrupt user sessions, cause application crashes, or potentially create conditions where users are unable to access web applications or services. The attack vector typically involves visiting malicious websites or receiving specially crafted web content that triggers the sandbox bypass mechanism. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the fundamental security model of the browser, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their attacks or create persistent access points within the user environment.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and relates to the broader category of sandbox escape techniques. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under process injection and privilege escalation techniques, as the vulnerability allows attackers to interfere with process execution in ways that violate the intended security boundaries. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to upgrade to Chrome version 20.0.1132.43 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly enforce sandbox isolation. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing browser security policies and content filtering mechanisms as defensive measures while waiting for full patch deployment across all systems. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and demonstrates how even seemingly minor sandboxing flaws can create significant operational risks.