CVE-2012-0150 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in msvcrt.dll in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted media file, aka "Msvcrt.dll Buffer Overflow Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The CVE-2012-0150 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the msvcrt.dll component of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions including Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 editions, as well as Windows 7 Gold and SP1 releases. The flaw specifically resides in the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library which is fundamental to many Windows applications and system components. Buffer overflow vulnerabilities occur when a program writes more data to a fixed-length buffer than it can hold, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten and potentially allowing malicious code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the msvcrt.dll library when processing media files. Attackers can craft specially designed media files that, when processed by vulnerable Windows systems, trigger the buffer overflow condition. This occurs during the parsing or rendering of multimedia content where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite critical memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through media file delivery, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and malicious file distribution campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0150 is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments. Successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows remote code execution with the privileges of the affected application, typically resulting in full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this weakness to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious media file. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows systems and applications that depend on the msvcrt.dll library, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking widespread exploitation. Organizations running affected Windows versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0150 primarily focus on applying Microsoft security updates and patches released in response to this vulnerability. The most effective immediate solution involves installing the relevant security updates from Microsoft, which include fixes for the buffer overflow in msvcrt.dll. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and application whitelisting policies to limit exposure, particularly in environments where media file processing occurs. Additional protective measures include disabling automatic media playback, implementing strict file type validation, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution phases. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive backup strategies to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful compromise.