CVE-2012-2846 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 21.0.1180.57 on Linux does not properly isolate renderer processes, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (cross-process interference) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2846 represents a critical process isolation flaw within Google Chrome's architecture on Linux systems. This weakness stems from insufficient sandboxing mechanisms that govern how renderer processes interact with each other and with the broader system. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 21.0.1180.57, where the browser's security model fails to maintain proper boundaries between different rendering contexts. The improper isolation allows malicious actors to exploit cross-process interference patterns that should normally be prevented by the browser's security architecture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the breakdown of Chrome's multi-process architecture design, which is intended to isolate web content rendering from the main browser process. In a properly functioning sandboxed environment, renderer processes should operate independently and be unable to directly access or interfere with other processes. However, this flaw enables attackers to manipulate or disrupt the execution of renderer processes through unspecified attack vectors that leverage the lack of proper process boundaries. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to cause denial of service conditions by interfering with the normal operation of Chrome's rendering subsystem.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to user security and system stability. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to cause Chrome to crash or become unresponsive, effectively delivering a denial of service attack against the targeted system. The cross-process interference capability means that an attacker could potentially disrupt multiple browser sessions simultaneously or cause persistent system instability. This type of vulnerability particularly concerns security professionals because it undermines the fundamental security model that Chrome employs to protect users from malicious web content. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the compromised process isolation for further exploitation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management and inadequate access control mechanisms. It also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059, representing the exploitation of system processes through manipulation of execution environments. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that includes process injection and privilege escalation vectors. The remediation strategy requires immediate patching of Chrome installations to version 21.0.1180.57 or later, which includes fixes for the renderer process isolation mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for unusual process behavior and consider network-level controls to limit exposure to known malicious web content. Organizations should also review their browser security policies to ensure that all users maintain up-to-date software versions and that appropriate security measures are in place to prevent exploitation of similar process isolation weaknesses in other browser components.