CVE-2012-5119 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in Pepper, as used in Google Chrome before 23.0.1271.64, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to buffers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5119 represents a critical race condition flaw within Pepper, the plugin architecture used by Google Chrome browser. This issue exists in versions prior to 23.0.1271.64 and demonstrates how improper synchronization mechanisms can create exploitable conditions in web browser environments. The race condition specifically manifests within the buffer management system of the Pepper plugin interface, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate memory operations during concurrent access scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate thread synchronization during buffer operations within the Pepper plugin framework. When multiple threads attempt to access and modify shared buffer resources simultaneously, the absence of proper locking mechanisms allows for unpredictable execution paths. This condition enables attackers to manipulate the timing of buffer operations to trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion scenarios. The flaw operates at the intersection of concurrent programming practices and memory management within browser plugin architectures, making it particularly dangerous in the context of web-based attacks where attackers control the execution environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5119 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. Attackers can exploit this race condition by crafting specific sequences of buffer operations that cause memory corruption, leading to unpredictable behavior in the browser process. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that successful exploitation might provide attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or bypass security controls. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in browser environments where plugins often have elevated privileges and direct access to system resources.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in concurrent programming environments. The flaw demonstrates how buffer management issues in plugin architectures can create persistent security weaknesses that persist across multiple browser versions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as attackers can leverage the race condition to either exhaust system resources or potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive operations. Organizations should recognize that this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the security model of browser plugin systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5119 require immediate browser version updates to patched releases that address the synchronization issues in the Pepper plugin framework. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected browser installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary plugins, implementing browser security policies that restrict plugin functionality, and monitoring for unusual resource consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper concurrent programming practices and the need for rigorous testing of multi-threaded components in security-critical applications. Organizations should also consider deploying network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous plugin behavior patterns associated with race condition exploitation attempts.