CVE-2012-4540 in IcedTea-Web
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in the invoke function in IcedTeaScriptablePluginObject.cc in IcedTea-Web 1.1.x before 1.1.7, 1.2.x before 1.2.2, 1.3.x before 1.3.1, and 1.4.x before 1.4.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, cause a denial of service (crash), or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted webpage that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow, related to an error message and a "triggering event attached to applet." NOTE: the 1.4.x versions were originally associated with CVE-2013-4349, but that entry has been MERGED with this one.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-4540 represents a critical off-by-one error within the IcedTea-Web plugin implementation that affects multiple version ranges of the Java browser plugin. This flaw exists in the invoke function of the IcedTeaScriptablePluginObject.cc file, which is responsible for handling JavaScript interactions with Java applets. The issue manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs when processing specially crafted web pages designed to trigger specific error conditions and applet events. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core plugin functionality that bridges web browsers with Java applet execution environments, making it a prime target for exploitation in web-based attack scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of JavaScript method invocations on Java applets. When a malicious webpage triggers the specific error message path associated with the invoke function, the off-by-one error causes memory corruption that can result in unpredictable behavior. The flaw is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow according to CWE-121, which represents a common class of memory safety issues where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This particular implementation error occurs in the context of plugin object handling where the system fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to include complete system compromise possibilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to cause denial of service through application crashes, obtain sensitive information from memory segments, or in more sophisticated attacks, achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the browser process. The vulnerability affects the broader Java plugin ecosystem and represents a significant risk to users running affected versions of IcedTea-Web, particularly in enterprise environments where Java applets are still actively used. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to the corrected versions 1.1.7, 1.2.2, 1.3.1, and 1.4.1 respectively. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious JavaScript patterns targeting known plugin vulnerabilities. Browser vendors and system administrators should consider disabling Java applet support entirely in environments where it is not strictly required, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Additionally, implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in plugin and extension code, particularly in security-sensitive contexts where untrusted input flows directly into memory operations.