CVE-2012-1874 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and 9 does not properly handle objects in memory, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing a deleted object, aka "Developer Toolbar Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1874 represents a critical memory management flaw within Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 8 and 9 that specifically affects the Developer Toolbar component. This issue stems from improper handling of objects in memory, creating a condition where attackers can manipulate the browser's memory management system to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability operates through a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that successful exploitation requires some form of user interaction such as visiting a malicious website or opening a specially crafted document. The core technical flaw manifests when the browser attempts to access a memory object that has already been deleted or freed, creating a memory access violation that can be leveraged by malicious actors to inject and execute malicious code within the browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges and potentially gain full system control. When Internet Explorer encounters a deleted object in memory, the browser's memory management system fails to properly validate the object's existence before attempting to access it, leading to a predictable memory corruption scenario. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, and the memory corruption aspect aligns with CWE-121 which covers stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The attack typically involves crafting malicious web content that triggers the Developer Toolbar functionality while simultaneously manipulating memory objects to create a scenario where accessing a freed memory location results in code execution.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant threat in targeted attack scenarios where attackers can leverage social engineering techniques to convince users to visit malicious websites. The attack requires the user to have the Developer Toolbar enabled, which is typically found in development environments or when users have explicitly enabled developer tools. However, the vulnerability's impact is amplified because many enterprise environments may have these tools enabled for debugging purposes, making the attack surface larger. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques, and T1068 which describes exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation path typically involves creating a web page that loads malicious JavaScript code designed to trigger the Developer Toolbar memory access issue.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1874 primarily focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening measures. Microsoft released security updates that addressed the memory handling issues within the Developer Toolbar component, requiring users to install the relevant security patches. Organizations should implement browser hardening policies that disable unnecessary developer tools in production environments, particularly when these tools are not required for legitimate business operations. Network-based mitigations include implementing web content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious web content targeting this vulnerability. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious websites and attachments that could trigger such memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping software current and implementing proper security configuration management practices that align with industry standards such as those recommended by NIST and CIS Controls.