CVE-2012-2423 in QuickBooks
Summary
by MITRE
The intu-help-qb (aka Intuit Help System Async Pluggable Protocol) handlers in HelpAsyncPluggableProtocol.dll in Intuit QuickBooks 2009 through 2012, when Internet Explorer is used, provide different responses to remote requests depending on whether a ZIP pathname is valid, which allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information about the installation path and product version via a series of requests involving the Msxml2.XMLHTTP object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2423 represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw within the Intuit QuickBooks software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions 2009 through 2012. This issue manifests through the intu-help-qb protocol handler component known as HelpAsyncPluggableProtocol.dll, which operates within the Internet Explorer browser environment. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental design weakness in how the system handles remote requests, creating an information leakage channel that can be systematically exploited by remote attackers. The flaw lies in the inconsistent response behavior of the protocol handler when processing different types of ZIP pathname requests, providing attackers with actionable intelligence about the underlying system configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the asynchronous pluggable protocol handler's response differentiation mechanism. When the Msxml2.XMLHTTP object is utilized to make remote requests against the vulnerable QuickBooks installation, the system responds differently based on whether the specified ZIP pathname exists within the local file system. This differential response pattern creates a side-channel information leak that can be systematically analyzed through a series of carefully crafted requests. The attacker can leverage this behavior to determine the exact installation path of QuickBooks and potentially identify the specific product version in use, as the responses contain subtle but detectable differences in error handling and response timing. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses information exposure through improper error handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2423 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked installation path and version information can serve as critical reconnaissance data for subsequent attack phases. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains knowledge about the target system's configuration that can be used to tailor more sophisticated attacks. The information obtained includes the precise installation directory structure and product version, which can be invaluable for identifying potential exploitation vectors, crafting targeted malware, or bypassing security controls that might be version-specific. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where QuickBooks is deployed, as it provides attackers with detailed system information that can be used in conjunction with other attack techniques. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers system information discovery, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2423 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patches that address the protocol handler's inconsistent response behavior. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the vulnerable protocol handlers, particularly in environments where QuickBooks is deployed. Browser security configurations can be adjusted to restrict the execution of potentially malicious protocol handlers, and administrators should consider disabling unnecessary protocol handlers that are not required for normal business operations. Additionally, comprehensive monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability. The remediation approach should also include regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other software components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in how applications handle external requests and error responses.