CVE-2012-0175 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The Shell in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, 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 name for a (1) file or (2) directory, aka "Command Injection Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0175 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Windows shell component that affects multiple operating system versions including Windows xp sp2 and sp3 windows server 2003 sp2 windows vista sp2 windows server 2008 sp2 r2 and r2 sp1 as well as windows 7 gold and sp1. this weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the shell's handling of file and directory names, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. the vulnerability specifically targets the shell's processing of crafted names that can be manipulated to trigger unintended execution paths within the operating system's command processing pipeline.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the windows shell processes file or directory names that contain specially crafted characters or sequences that are interpreted as commands rather than literal name components. this flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration category of cwe-78 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in os command injection attacks. the attack vector leverages the shell's failure to properly sanitize input parameters before executing system commands, allowing attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the shell. the vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the shell level where command execution permissions are typically highest and where user interactions with file systems are most frequent.
Operationally this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious file shares network drives or even crafted web content that prompts users to interact with compromised files. the impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, privilege escalation, and persistent access to affected systems. attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deploy malware, establish backdoors, or perform reconnaissance activities without requiring elevated privileges beyond normal user access. the attack requires minimal user interaction in many cases, making it particularly dangerous as users may inadvertently trigger the exploit while performing routine file operations or system navigation tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0175 should include immediate installation of microsoft security patches released in response to this vulnerability, which address the underlying input validation issues within the shell component. organizations should implement comprehensive network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. security monitoring should focus on unusual file creation or modification patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block suspicious command execution patterns. the vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current operating system versions and applying security updates promptly, as this flaw demonstrates how legacy systems remain vulnerable to exploitation even years after initial discovery. organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized programs and reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters. compliance with industry standards such as iso 27001 and nist cybersecurity framework becomes critical in managing such vulnerabilities through proper risk assessment and incident response procedures.