CVE-2012-4774 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) file name or (2) subfolder name that triggers use of unallocated memory as the destination of a copy operation, aka "Windows Filename Parsing Vulnerability."
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4774 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Windows operating systems that affects multiple versions including Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2, and Windows 7 Gold and SP1. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, specifically addressing out-of-bounds read conditions that occur when applications process file names and directory structures. The flaw manifests when the Windows file system encounters crafted file names or subfolder names that trigger improper memory handling during copy operations, leading to the utilization of unallocated memory as the destination for data copying.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file naming conventions that cause the Windows kernel to improperly handle memory allocation during file system operations. When a maliciously crafted file name or subfolder name is processed, the system's file parsing routines fail to properly validate the input, resulting in a buffer overflow condition where unallocated memory segments are accessed and modified. This memory corruption can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted system, effectively providing a pathway for full system compromise. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Windows kernel's handling of file paths and can be triggered through various file system operations including but not limited to file copying, moving, and directory traversal scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to enterprise environments as it allows remote code execution without requiring user interaction or authentication. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious file names and sharing them through network shares, email attachments, or web-based file transfer systems. The vulnerability's remote exploit capability means that attackers can compromise systems from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed file servers or network shares. The attack surface is extensive given that this vulnerability affects multiple Windows versions and can be triggered through common file system operations, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns.
The exploitation of CVE-2012-4774 aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's ability to execute arbitrary code makes it a valuable primitive for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Microsoft security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit file sharing exposure, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file naming patterns. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling unnecessary file sharing services and implementing strict file name validation policies to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how seemingly benign file system operations can become attack vectors when memory management flaws exist in operating system components.