CVE-2012-2879 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 22.0.1229.79 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (DOM topology corruption) via a crafted document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2879 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 22.0.1229.79. This issue stems from improper handling of DOM topology within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing crafted malicious documents. The vulnerability operates at the core level of web browser functionality where the Document Object Model structure becomes corrupted, leading to system instability and potential browser crashes. Such flaws typically arise from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within complex browser architectures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious HTML document containing malformed DOM structures that trigger memory corruption during parsing and rendering operations. The flaw manifests as DOM topology corruption, which means that the hierarchical structure of document elements becomes compromised, causing the browser to malfunction when attempting to traverse or manipulate the document tree. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions, and specifically relates to improper handling of memory structures during DOM manipulation processes. The vulnerability enables attackers to disrupt normal browser operations through carefully constructed web content that exploits the underlying parsing mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2879 extends beyond simple service disruption as it can potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the browser environment. When the DOM topology becomes corrupted, it can lead to unpredictable behavior including browser crashes, rendering failures, and in some cases, potential information disclosure or privilege escalation scenarios. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in Chrome's security architecture where crafted input can cause the browser to enter an inconsistent state, making it unreliable for users and potentially exploitable in advanced attack scenarios. This issue directly impacts the browser's ability to maintain stable operation and can be particularly dangerous in environments where users encounter untrusted web content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 22.0.1229.79 or later, which incorporates memory safety improvements and enhanced DOM validation mechanisms. Browser vendors and system administrators should implement proactive security measures including regular updates, web application firewalls, and content filtering systems to prevent exposure to malicious content. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping browser software current. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening techniques and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.