VUPEN Security Research - Google Chrome WebKit Engine Ruby Tag Stale Pointer 
Vulnerability

Website : https://www.vupen.com/english/research.php

Twitter : https://twitter.com/vupen


I. BACKGROUND
---------------------

"Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google that uses the WebKit
layout engine. As of August 2011, Chrome is the third most widely used
browser with 23.16% worldwide usage share of web browsers" (Wikipedia)


II. DESCRIPTION
---------------------

VUPEN Vulnerability Research Team discovered a vulnerability in Google 
Chrome.

The vulnerability is caused by a stale pointer in the WebKit engine when
deleting a Ruby tag and its children in a specific order, which could be
exploited by remote attackers to compromise a vulnerable system via a
specially crafted web page.


III. AFFECTED PRODUCTS
---------------------------

Google Chrome versions prior to 14.0.835.202


IV. Binary Analysis & Exploits/PoCs
---------------------------------------

In-depth binary analysis of the vulnerability and a proof-of-concept code
are available through the VUPEN Binary Analysis & Exploits portal :

https://www.vupen.com/english/services/ba-index.php


VUPEN Binary Analysis & Exploits Service provides private exploits and
in-depth technical analysis of the most significant public vulnerabilities
based on disassembly, reverse engineering, protocol analysis, and code 
audit.

The service allows governments and major corporations to evaluate risks, and
protect infrastructures and assets against new threats. The service also
allows security vendors (IPS, IDS, AntiVirus) to supplement their internal
research efforts and quickly develop both vulnerability-based and
exploit-based signatures to proactively protect their customers from attacks
and emerging threats.


V. VUPEN Threat Protection Program
-----------------------------------

Governments and major corporations which are members of the VUPEN Threat
Protection Program (TPP) have been proactively alerted about the 
vulnerability
when it was discovered by VUPEN in advance of its public disclosure, and
have received a detailed attack detection guidance to protect national and
critical infrastructures against potential 0-day attacks exploiting this
vulnerability:

https://www.vupen.com/english/services/tpp-index.php


VI. SOLUTION
----------------

Upgrade to Google Chrome version 14.0.835.202


VII. CREDIT
--------------

This vulnerability was discovered by Matthieu Bonetti of VUPEN Security


VIII. ABOUT VUPEN Security
---------------------------

VUPEN is the world leader in vulnerability research for defensive and
offensive cyber security. VUPEN solutions enable corporations and 
governments
to measure and manage risks, eliminate vulnerabilities before they can be
exploited, and protect critical infrastructures and assets against known and
unknown vulnerabilities.

VUPEN has been recently recognized as "Company of the Year in the 
Vulnerability
Research Market (2011)" by Frost & Sullivan.

VUPEN solutions include:

* VUPEN Binary Analysis & Exploits Service (BAE) :
https://www.vupen.com/english/services/ba-index.php

* VUPEN Threat Protection Program (TPP) :
https://www.vupen.com/english/services/tpp-index.php


IX. REFERENCES
----------------------

https://googlechromereleases.blogspot.com/2011/10/stable-channel-update.html
https://www.vupen.com/english/research.php


X. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
-----------------------------

2011-09-20 - Vulnerability Discovered by VUPEN and shared with TPP customers
2011-10-05 - Public disclosure