CVE-2012-5112 in WebKitGTK+
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the SVG implementation in WebKit, as used in Google Chrome before 22.0.1229.94, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2021
The CVE-2012-5112 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within WebKit's Scalable Vector Graphics implementation that affected Google Chrome versions prior to 22.0.1229.94. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, specifically addressing use-after-free conditions where memory previously allocated to an object is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential exploitation opportunities for remote attackers. The flaw exists in the SVG rendering engine component of WebKit, which is responsible for processing and displaying vector graphics within web browsers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to leverage browser-based exploits.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the SVG processing code path where objects are freed from memory but references to these objects persist in the rendering pipeline. When an attacker crafts malicious SVG content that triggers specific rendering conditions, the freed memory can be reallocated and manipulated to contain attacker-controlled data. This creates a scenario where subsequent operations on the freed object reference can lead to arbitrary code execution, as the attacker can control the memory layout and potentially overwrite function pointers or execute shellcode within the browser's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables full remote code execution capabilities within the context of the browser process. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through malicious web pages containing crafted SVG content, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page, and the attack surface is broad given the widespread use of SVG graphics in modern web applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as the exploitation often involves JavaScript-based payload delivery combined with the underlying memory corruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5112 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 22.0.1229.94 or later, which includes memory management improvements and proper object lifecycle handling in the SVG implementation. Browser vendors should implement additional security measures such as address space layout randomization ASLR, stack canaries, and code integrity checks to reduce exploit reliability even if a similar vulnerability were to be discovered. Network security controls including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious SVG content, though these measures are not foolproof against sophisticated attacks. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive monitoring of browser usage patterns and implement regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in browser engines and the need for continuous security testing of core rendering components that handle user-supplied content.