CVE-2012-1875 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 does not properly handle objects in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing a deleted object, aka "Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2024
This vulnerability exists in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and represents a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution through improper object handling. The vulnerability stems from how Internet Explorer manages memory objects during the JavaScript execution process, specifically when dealing with objects that have identical identifiers. When the browser encounters objects with the same id property, it fails to properly validate memory references, creating a condition where attackers can manipulate memory pointers to execute malicious code. This issue falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where a program accesses memory beyond its allocated bounds. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to leverage the browser's JavaScript engine to perform arbitrary code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Internet Explorer processes JavaScript code containing objects with identical ID properties. During normal operation, the browser's memory management system should properly track and handle these objects, but in this case, a deleted object reference remains accessible in memory. Attackers can craft malicious web content that forces the browser to access this dangling pointer, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1547.001 for registry modification. The vulnerability affects Internet Explorer 8 on Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 systems, where the memory management subsystem fails to properly enforce object lifecycle boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a reliable method to compromise systems running Internet Explorer 8 without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely deployed browser version and can be exploited through standard web browsing activities. Organizations with legacy systems running IE8 are especially vulnerable since the browser lacks modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where older browsers remain in use due to compatibility requirements or lack of proper patch management processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vendor released specific patches addressing the memory handling issues in Internet Explorer 8. Organizations should also implement browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing content security policies, and using application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for known malicious patterns associated with this vulnerability. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browsers updated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and demonstrates how memory management flaws in browser engines can create significant security risks. Organizations should also consider migrating away from legacy browser versions to more secure modern alternatives that include comprehensive memory safety features and regular security updates.