CVE-2008-3012 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
gdiplus.dll in GDI+ in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP1, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP1 and SP2, Vista Gold and SP1, Server 2008, Office XP SP3, Office 2003 SP2 and SP3, 2007 Microsoft Office System Gold and SP1, Visio 2002 SP2, PowerPoint Viewer 2003, Works 8, Digital Image Suite 2006, SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services SP2, SQL Server 2005 SP2, Report Viewer 2005 SP1 and 2008, and Forefront Client Security 1.0 does not properly perform memory allocation, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed EMF image file, aka "GDI+ EMF Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2021
The CVE-2008-3012 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Graphics Device Interface Plus component of Microsoft Windows operating systems and Office applications. This vulnerability specifically affects gdiplus.dll, which handles graphics processing operations including the interpretation of Enhanced Metafile (EMF) image formats. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed EMF image files, leading to improper memory allocation that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability impacts a broad range of Microsoft products spanning from Windows XP through Windows Server 2008, along with various Office applications and SQL Server components, making it one of the most widely affecting graphics-related vulnerabilities in Microsoft's product ecosystem. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which occurs when the GDI+ subsystem fails to properly validate memory boundaries during EMF file processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent weaknesses in how Microsoft's GDI+ library handles memory allocation for EMF image processing. When an attacker crafts a specially malformed EMF file, the gdiplus.dll component attempts to allocate memory for processing the image data without proper bounds checking. This allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system structures or injecting malicious code into the target process memory space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web browsing, email attachments, or any application that processes EMF images, making it highly exploitable in real-world scenarios. Attackers typically leverage this flaw by embedding malicious EMF files in web pages or email messages, where the automatic processing by Internet Explorer or Office applications triggers the vulnerable code path. The exploitation process often involves crafting specific memory corruption patterns that can lead to privilege escalation or complete system compromise, as the attacker can manipulate the execution flow of the target process through carefully crafted memory writes.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3012 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it represents a fundamental weakness in Microsoft's graphics processing stack that affects enterprise environments with widespread deployment of affected products. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Windows, Office, or SQL Server face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise when this vulnerability is exploited. The broad attack surface created by the vulnerability's presence across multiple Microsoft products means that even organizations with robust security policies may be vulnerable if any one of their systems runs an affected application. Network administrators must consider the implications of this vulnerability across their entire infrastructure, as it can be exploited through multiple vectors including web-based attacks, email attachments, and file sharing scenarios. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) highlights its potential for advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers use the initial compromise to establish footholds within networks. The widespread deployment of affected products means that organizations with legacy systems or those that have not applied security patches face particularly high risk of exploitation, as many organizations maintain older versions of Microsoft products for compatibility reasons.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3012 should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed through official security patches released in 2008. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular patching schedules, automated deployment mechanisms, and thorough testing procedures to ensure that security updates do not introduce compatibility issues. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by restricting access to vulnerable systems and implementing additional layers of protection. Security monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious EMF file processing activities, particularly in email systems and web applications where such files might be encountered. The vulnerability's presence in Microsoft Office applications also necessitates email filtering and content scanning solutions that can identify and block potentially malicious EMF attachments. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted graphics files and disable unnecessary graphics processing capabilities in web browsers and office applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining current security patches and highlights the need for comprehensive security awareness training to prevent social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability through phishing or malicious file attachments.