CVE-2012-5108 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in Google Chrome before 22.0.1229.92 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to audio devices.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5108 represents a critical race condition flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 22.0.1229.92 that exposes the browser to remote code execution attacks through audio device manipulation. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of audio device access and initialization sequences within the browser's multimedia subsystem, creating temporal windows where malicious actors can exploit inconsistent state management during device enumeration and resource allocation processes.
The technical implementation of this race condition occurs when Chrome's audio subsystem processes device connections and disconnections while simultaneously handling JavaScript audio API calls. During these transitional periods, the browser fails to properly synchronize access to shared audio device resources, allowing attackers to manipulate device states through crafted web content. The flaw specifically manifests when the browser attempts to initialize audio devices while concurrent audio operations are in progress, creating opportunities for memory corruption and arbitrary code execution in the context of the browser process.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious code on affected systems without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges. The attack vector leverages web-based exploitation where malicious websites can trigger the race condition through audio device API calls, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by Chrome's widespread adoption and the fact that exploitation requires no special user actions beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently browse untrusted content.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-362, which describes race conditions in concurrent programming where multiple threads or processes access shared resources without proper synchronization mechanisms. This weakness creates temporal gaps in access control and resource management that attackers can exploit to manipulate program execution flow. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of JavaScript and web-based scripting languages for malicious code execution, and T1068, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities in legitimate programs to gain system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5108 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to version 22.0.1229.92 or later, which includes proper synchronization mechanisms for audio device access and resource management. Organizations should implement network-based controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to restrict access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary audio APIs, implementing strict content security policies, and maintaining updated security patches across all systems are essential. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of unusual audio device access patterns and potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis.