CVE-2012-2883 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Skia, as used in Google Chrome before 22.0.1229.79, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors that trigger an out-of-bounds write operation, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-2874.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2883 affects Skia graphics library implementation within Google Chrome browser versions prior to 22.0.1229.79. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to exploit out-of-bounds write operations through unspecified vectors. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-787 as an out-of-bounds write condition, which occurs when a program writes data past the end of a buffer or array. Unlike CVE-2012-2874 which addresses a different class of vulnerabilities, this particular flaw specifically targets memory corruption through improper bounds checking during graphics processing operations.
The technical flaw manifests when Chrome processes certain graphics elements that utilize the Skia rendering engine. During normal operation, Skia handles various graphical operations including image rendering, text display, and vector graphics processing. When malicious content triggers an out-of-bounds write condition, the memory layout becomes corrupted, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when input validation is insufficient or when array indexing calculations fail to properly constrain values within expected bounds. The out-of-bounds write can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program state or even allowing arbitrary code execution in some scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2883 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise. Remote attackers can craft malicious web content that, when rendered by vulnerable Chrome versions, triggers the out-of-bounds write condition. This attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks. The vulnerability affects users running Chrome versions earlier than 22.0.1229.79, representing a significant portion of the browser user base at the time of discovery. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through web services, as attackers can leverage compromised web pages to deliver malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2883 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to version 22.0.1229.79 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious content, deploying browser security extensions that provide additional protection layers, and establishing network monitoring systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components, particularly graphics libraries that handle untrusted input from web content. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as the out-of-bounds write could potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges or execute malicious code with elevated permissions.