CVE-2012-5115 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 23.0.1271.64 on Mac OS X does not properly mitigate improper write behavior in graphics drivers, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors that trigger "wild writes."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5115 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 23.0.1271.64 on macOS operating systems. This issue stems from inadequate mitigation of improper write behavior within graphics drivers, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise system stability and potentially execute unauthorized actions. The vulnerability specifically affects the interaction between Chrome's rendering engine and macOS graphics subsystem, where improper memory management leads to unpredictable behavior during graphic operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of memory writes within graphics driver components when Chrome processes web content. When Chrome renders graphics-intensive web pages or executes certain JavaScript operations, it interacts with the underlying graphics drivers to perform rendering tasks. The flaw occurs when these driver interactions do not properly validate or constrain memory write operations, allowing what are termed "wild writes" to occur. These wild writes can overwrite arbitrary memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system data structures or executing malicious code. The vulnerability manifests through unknown vectors that trigger these improper write behaviors, making it particularly challenging to predict and prevent.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to users of affected Chrome versions on macOS systems. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to trigger denial of service conditions that may completely crash the browser application or render the system unstable. Beyond simple denial of service, the unspecified other impacts suggest that sophisticated attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The nature of graphics driver vulnerabilities often makes them particularly dangerous because they operate at a low system level with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to bypass traditional security boundaries and access protected system resources.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2012-5115 primarily involves updating to Google Chrome version 23.0.1271.64 or later, which includes proper fixes for the graphics driver interaction issues. System administrators should prioritize this update across all macOS systems where Chrome is installed, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple users may be exposed to web-based attacks. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, disabling unnecessary browser plugins, and maintaining comprehensive monitoring of system behavior for signs of exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially relates to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through browser-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing measures and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the complex security challenges inherent in modern browser architectures that must integrate with various operating system components. Graphics driver vulnerabilities like CVE-2012-5115 demonstrate the critical importance of thorough testing and validation of third-party driver interactions within browser security models. The issue also underscores the need for continuous security monitoring and rapid response capabilities, as these types of low-level driver vulnerabilities often remain undetected until exploited in the wild. Security professionals should maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in graphics processing components and implement proactive measures to identify and remediate such issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.