CVE-2012-2891 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
The IPC implementation in Google Chrome before 22.0.1229.79 allows attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information about memory addresses via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2891 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the inter-process communication mechanisms of Google Chrome browser versions prior to 22.0.1229.79. This issue resides in the browser's IPC implementation which serves as the foundation for communication between different processes within the Chrome architecture, including the main browser process and isolated renderer processes. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of memory address information that gets exposed through IPC channels, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to gather sensitive system information. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could be exploited through multiple pathways within the IPC framework, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes weaknesses related to exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw specifically affects the memory layout information that Chrome exposes through its IPC mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to gain insights into process memory addresses, heap layouts, and other sensitive memory structures. This type of information disclosure can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks, particularly those involving memory corruption exploits or advanced persistent threats. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign IPC functionality can become a conduit for information leakage when proper security controls are not implemented.
From an operational impact standpoint, this vulnerability creates substantial risks for users of affected Chrome versions as it provides attackers with valuable information that can be leveraged to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization. The exposure of memory addresses can enable attackers to perform more precise exploitation techniques, potentially leading to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. Organizations relying on Chrome for web browsing activities face increased risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where sensitive data is handled. The vulnerability also impacts the broader security ecosystem as it demonstrates how browser vendors must maintain rigorous security controls across all components of their software architecture, not just the core rendering engine.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2891 primarily involve upgrading to Chrome version 22.0.1229.79 or later, which includes patches addressing the IPC information disclosure issue. Security administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual IPC traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include maintaining up-to-date browser versions, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of browser configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of applying security patches promptly and demonstrates how browser vendors must continuously monitor and improve their IPC implementations to prevent information leakage. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening techniques and monitoring for suspicious behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. This case study emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive security testing across all browser components and the importance of maintaining robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle.