CVE-2012-2875 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the PDF functionality in Google Chrome before 22.0.1229.79 allow remote attackers to have an unknown impact via a crafted document.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2875 represents a critical security flaw within Google Chrome's PDF rendering capabilities that existed prior to version 22.0.1229.79. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerabilities in the PDF functionality, indicating that the specific technical details were not fully disclosed at the time of the initial report. The nature of these vulnerabilities allowed remote attackers to craft malicious PDF documents that could exploit weaknesses in Chrome's handling of PDF content, potentially leading to various security consequences ranging from information disclosure to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically targeted the browser's built-in PDF viewer, which was integrated directly into the Chrome rendering engine without the need for external plugins.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the complex nature of PDF processing within web browsers, where the PDF viewer must interpret and render various PDF elements including embedded scripts, JavaScript code, and complex graphical objects. Chrome's PDF functionality was designed to handle a wide range of PDF features and standards, but this complexity created potential attack surfaces where malformed or malicious PDF content could cause unexpected behavior in the browser's memory management or execution environment. The unspecified nature of the vulnerabilities suggests that multiple distinct flaws may have existed within the PDF parsing and rendering pipeline, each potentially exploitable through different attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability posed significant risks to users who frequently encountered PDF documents in their browsing activities, particularly in enterprise environments where PDF files were commonly shared through email systems, web portals, and document management platforms. The remote exploitation capability meant that attackers could deliver malicious PDF content through various channels including phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious file sharing platforms without requiring any local privileges or user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior. The unknown impact aspect indicates that the consequences could vary widely from simple browser crashes to more severe outcomes including full system compromise, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on Chrome as their primary browser.
The exploitation of CVE-2012-2875 aligns with several attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access through malicious documents and privilege escalation through browser-based attacks. This vulnerability would likely be categorized under techniques involving document execution and browser exploitation, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised systems. Organizations implementing security controls should have considered the implications of this vulnerability in their overall risk management strategies, particularly in relation to web browsing security and endpoint protection measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focused on immediate browser updates to version 22.0.1229.79 or later, which contained patches addressing the underlying PDF processing flaws. Additional protective measures included implementing web content filtering solutions, disabling the built-in PDF viewer in favor of external plugins, and establishing security policies that limited PDF file handling in sensitive environments. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of keeping browser software updated and implementing layered security approaches that protect against various attack vectors including those targeting browser plugins and built-in functionality. Organizations should have reviewed their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for handling potential exploitation of this type of vulnerability, particularly given the remote nature of the attack vector and the potential for widespread impact across multiple user populations.
This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent security challenges associated with complex software components like PDF viewers that must handle diverse and potentially malicious input. The issue underscores the importance of regular security assessments and the need for robust input validation and sandboxing mechanisms in browser environments. From a compliance perspective, organizations needed to ensure that their security measures aligned with industry standards including those related to secure software development practices and vulnerability management as outlined in frameworks such as NIST cybersecurity guidelines and ISO 27001 requirements for information security management.