CVE-2012-1845 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome 17.0.963.66 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass the DEP and ASLR protection mechanisms, and execute arbitrary code, via unspecified vectors, as demonstrated by VUPEN during a Pwn2Own competition at CanSecWest 2012. NOTE: the primary affected product may be clarified later; it was not identified by the researcher, who reportedly stated "it really doesn t matter if it s third-party code."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2017
The CVE-2012-1845 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw that existed in Google Chrome versions 17.0.963.66 and earlier, demonstrating how memory safety issues can severely compromise modern browser security mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targeted the browser's memory management systems and enabled attackers to bypass essential exploit mitigation techniques including Data Execution Prevention and Address Space Layout Randomization. The flaw was particularly concerning because it allowed remote code execution without requiring local system access, making it a significant threat to web users who might encounter malicious content through standard browsing activities. The vulnerability was demonstrated at the prestigious Pwn2Own competition held at CanSecWest 2012 by VUPEN research team, which validated its practical exploitability and potential impact on real-world systems.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within Chrome's rendering engine or related components that process web content. When a web page or malicious script triggers the specific memory allocation pattern, it causes a situation where a memory block is freed but subsequently accessed by the application, leading to undefined behavior. This memory corruption allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting critical data structures or function pointers, effectively taking control of the browser process. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software development, where memory is accessed after it has been freed by the program. The flaw exploited the fundamental weakness in memory management where the application fails to properly track memory references, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into the process space.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1845 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it directly undermines the security model that modern browsers employ to protect users from malicious content. By bypassing DEP and ASLR protections, attackers could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise if the browser runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability's exploitation capability was demonstrated in a controlled environment where attackers successfully bypassed multiple security layers that are standard in modern operating systems. This particular flaw represents a significant concern because it was not limited to specific web content types or user actions, but rather could be triggered through normal browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. The vulnerability's demonstration at Pwn2Own highlights how sophisticated attackers can leverage such flaws to gain system control without user interaction, as the attack vector could be delivered through standard web pages.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1845 primarily involve updating to patched versions of Google Chrome where the memory management issues have been resolved. Browser vendors typically address such vulnerabilities through comprehensive memory safety improvements, including enhanced memory allocation tracking, improved garbage collection mechanisms, and stricter validation of memory operations. Organizations should implement automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates, as the vulnerability was present in widely used browser versions. The remediation process requires careful consideration of the browser's security model and proper validation of patches to prevent regression issues that could affect legitimate browser functionality. Additionally, network security measures such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection while waiting for official patches to be deployed across all affected systems. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and the potential consequences of running outdated browser versions in enterprise environments.