CVE-2012-1003 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in Opera 11.60 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a large integer argument to the (1) Int32Array, (2) Float32Array, (3) Float64Array, (4) Uint32Array, (5) Int16Array, or (6) ArrayBuffer function. NOTE: the vendor reportedly characterizes this as "a stability issue, not a security issue."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1003 represents a critical integer overflow issue affecting Opera web browser versions 11.60 and earlier. This flaw manifests within the JavaScript TypedArray API implementations, specifically targeting six distinct array constructor functions including Int32Array, Float32Array, Float64Array, Uint32Array, Int16Array, and ArrayBuffer. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing large integer arguments, creating conditions where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum representable values for integer data types. This particular issue falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability. The vulnerability is categorized as a denial of service condition rather than a direct security breach, though it can still pose significant operational risks to users and organizations relying on affected browser versions.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves attackers sending maliciously crafted JavaScript code containing excessively large integer values to any of the specified TypedArray constructors. When these constructors process such inputs without proper bounds checking, the integer arithmetic operations overflow beyond the allocated memory boundaries, causing the browser application to crash or become unresponsive. The underlying mechanism exploits the fundamental limitations of fixed-width integer representations in programming languages, where operations exceeding maximum values wrap around to minimum values or produce undefined behavior. This behavior is consistent with the ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service attacks, where attackers leverage application-level vulnerabilities to disrupt service availability. The specific nature of the vulnerability means that even legitimate web content could potentially trigger these overflows if it contains malformed data that exceeds expected parameter ranges.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1003 extends beyond simple browser instability, as it can be exploited to create persistent denial of service conditions that significantly impact user productivity and system availability. Organizations relying on Opera 11.60 or earlier versions face potential risks of unauthorized service disruption, particularly in environments where browser stability is critical for business operations. The vulnerability affects the core JavaScript engine functionality, meaning that any web application utilizing TypedArray objects could potentially become a vector for exploitation. While the vendor classified this as a stability issue rather than a security vulnerability, the potential for remote code execution through application crashes cannot be entirely ruled out, especially when combined with other browser exploits. This classification aligns with the broader cybersecurity principle that denial of service conditions can still represent significant threats to system availability and user experience, particularly in enterprise environments where continuous access to web-based applications is essential for operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1003 primarily focus on immediate browser version updates to patched versions that address the integer overflow conditions in TypedArray implementations. System administrators should prioritize updating all Opera installations to versions 11.61 or later, where the vendor has implemented proper input validation and bounds checking for integer parameters. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious JavaScript patterns, deploying browser security extensions that provide enhanced input validation, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unusual browser crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle browser-based denial of service conditions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security patch management and the need for comprehensive browser security testing to identify and address integer overflow conditions that can compromise application stability and availability.