CVE-2012-3562 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 12.00 Beta allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted web page that is not properly handled during a reload, as demonstrated by a "multiple origin camera test" page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3562 represents a denial of service flaw in Opera web browsers prior to version 12.00 Beta. This issue arises from improper handling of crafted web pages during the browser reload operation, specifically when dealing with multiple origin camera test pages. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper handling of exceptional conditions, which aligns with CWE-248, an unspecified exception handling flaw that can lead to application instability and crash conditions. The attack vector requires user assistance, meaning an attacker must convince a victim to visit a malicious webpage, making this a user-assisted remote attack that leverages social engineering elements to achieve its objective.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Opera's rendering engine encounters a specially crafted web page containing multiple origin camera test elements. During the reload operation, the browser fails to properly process these elements, leading to an unhandled exception that causes the application to crash. This crash behavior constitutes a denial of service condition where legitimate users experience interruption of their browsing session. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of multimedia elements and camera access permissions, which are processed differently when the page is reloaded rather than initially loaded. The flaw demonstrates a lack of proper input validation and resource management during dynamic page updates, particularly when dealing with multiple origins and camera access scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3562 extends beyond simple browser instability, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the broader context of the attacker's methodology. While the immediate effect is a denial of service, this vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for attackers to establish more persistent presence on target systems. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely fall within the initial access and execution domains, where the denial of service could be used to disrupt legitimate services or create opportunities for further exploitation. Organizations using affected Opera versions face the risk of service disruption, particularly in environments where browser stability is critical for business operations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper exception handling in web browsers, as the crash occurs during a routine browser operation that users expect to function reliably.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through browser updates to Opera 12.00 Beta or later versions where the issue has been addressed. System administrators should prioritize patch management to ensure all Opera installations are updated to versions that properly handle the reload operation with multiple origin camera test elements. Additionally, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help prevent users from accessing malicious pages that contain the crafted elements designed to trigger this vulnerability. The vulnerability's nature suggests that defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual browser crash patterns and implementing proper input sanitization for multimedia elements. Organizations may also consider deploying browser hardening techniques that limit camera access permissions and restrict the execution of potentially malicious web content, aligning with security best practices outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-128 for web application security.