CVE-2012-5118 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google Chrome before 23.0.1271.64 on Mac OS X does not properly validate an integer value during the handling of GPU command buffers, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via unknown vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5118 represents a critical integer validation flaw within Google Chrome's GPU command buffer handling mechanism on macOS systems. This issue affects Chrome versions prior to 23.0.1271.64 and stems from inadequate input validation during the processing of graphics processing unit commands. The flaw occurs when Chrome attempts to interpret and execute GPU operations, specifically within the graphics rendering pipeline that manages command buffers for hardware acceleration. The improper integer validation creates a potential attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate numerical values to trigger unexpected behavior in the browser's graphics subsystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation, and more specifically relates to CWE-129 - Improper Validation of Array Index. When Chrome processes GPU command buffers, it receives and processes various integer parameters that define the scope and behavior of graphics operations. The vulnerability emerges when these integer values are not properly validated before being used in memory operations or buffer manipulations. Attackers can potentially craft malicious web content that, when rendered by Chrome, triggers the flawed integer validation logic and causes the browser to behave unpredictably.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or system instability. When the integer validation fails, it can lead to memory corruption scenarios where the GPU command processing code attempts to access invalid memory locations or manipulate data structures in unexpected ways. This can result in browser crashes, system hangs, or potentially allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Chrome process. The remote exploitation aspect means that attackers can trigger this vulnerability through web-based attacks without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in modern browser environments where users frequently visit untrusted websites.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, and T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution. The vulnerability exists within the browser's graphics rendering engine, which is commonly targeted in advanced persistent threat campaigns due to its privileged execution context and complex codebase. The macOS-specific nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can leverage it to target users of Apple's operating system while avoiding some of the mitigations that might be present in other platforms. The integer overflow or underflow conditions that trigger this vulnerability can be particularly challenging to detect and prevent, as they often manifest as subtle memory corruption issues that may not immediately result in exploitable conditions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5118 primarily focus on immediate software updates and browser hardening measures. The most effective solution is upgrading to Chrome version 23.0.1271.64 or later, which includes proper integer validation mechanisms for GPU command buffer processing. Organizations should implement automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all user devices. Additional mitigations include enabling Chrome's built-in security features such as sandboxing, which isolates the graphics rendering process from the main browser application, and implementing network-level controls to monitor and restrict access to potentially malicious websites. Security researchers recommend that administrators consider implementing browser security policies that disable unnecessary hardware acceleration features when running on systems where the vulnerability cannot be immediately patched. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments of browser components and the need for robust input validation across all system components that handle external data processing.