CVE-2012-2876 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the SSE2 optimization functionality in Google Chrome before 22.0.1229.79 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2876 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the SSE2 optimization functionality of Google Chrome browser versions prior to 22.0.1229.79. This issue resides in the multimedia instruction set optimization layer that Chrome employs to enhance performance when processing certain types of data. The buffer overflow occurs specifically within the implementation of Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 optimizations, which are designed to accelerate multimedia processing operations such as image and video manipulation. The flaw manifests when the browser processes malformed or specially crafted data that triggers the optimized code path, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The exploitation of this flaw can result in arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions, making it particularly dangerous in a browser environment where users frequently interact with untrusted content from the internet. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the buffer overflow through web pages without requiring any local interaction from the victim, making it a prime target for drive-by attacks. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description suggest that beyond the immediate denial of service, there may be potential for privilege escalation or information disclosure depending on the specific exploitation scenario.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with optimized code paths in complex software systems. The SSE2 optimizations, while beneficial for performance, introduce additional attack surface that must be carefully validated and secured. The impact extends beyond simple browser crashes, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process. This creates a significant threat vector for attackers seeking to compromise user systems through web-based attacks, particularly given that Chrome was widely used and the vulnerability affected a large user base. The vulnerability also highlights the challenges of securing highly optimized code where performance enhancements may introduce security risks that are difficult to identify through standard testing procedures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2876 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 22.0.1229.79 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow in the SSE2 optimization functionality. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of Chrome are updated promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction. Additional protective measures include implementing browser hardening techniques such as sandboxing, which can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, and deploying web application firewalls or content filtering solutions to block malicious content. Security teams should also consider monitoring network traffic for indicators of exploitation attempts and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious patterns associated with buffer overflow attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough security testing for optimized code paths and the need for maintaining up-to-date security practices in software development lifecycle processes.