CVE-2012-5125 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability 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 the handling of extension tabs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5125 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome versions prior to 23.0.1271.64 that specifically targets the browser's handling of extension tabs. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating potential avenues for exploitation that can result in system instability or arbitrary code execution. The issue manifests within Chrome's extension tab management system where improper memory handling allows attackers to manipulate the browser's internal state through crafted web content. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction, making them ideal targets for automated attacks that can compromise user systems at scale. The use-after-free condition in this case specifically impacts Chrome's rendering engine and extension management components, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate browser memory structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of extension tab objects within Chrome's memory space, where the browser fails to properly validate or manage references to freed memory regions. When Chrome processes extension tabs, it creates and destroys various objects in memory, but the flaw occurs during the cleanup process where memory addresses are not properly invalidated or checked before subsequent access attempts. This creates a window where attacker-controlled data can be used to trigger memory corruption, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can craft malicious web pages or extension content that, when loaded in Chrome, will trigger the memory corruption. According to CWE classification, this represents a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) that falls under the broader category of memory safety issues, where the improper management of memory resources creates exploitable conditions in the browser's architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5125 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more severe compromise scenarios that align with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution. The vulnerability can be leveraged to cause system instability, browser crashes, or potentially allow attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the browser process. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Chrome is widely deployed, as a single compromised page could affect multiple users simultaneously. The remote nature of the attack means that users need only visit malicious websites or install compromised extensions to be at risk, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks. Organizations running vulnerable Chrome versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or system compromise, especially when users browse untrusted websites or install third-party extensions that may contain malicious code designed to exploit this specific vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5125 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 23.0.1271.64 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly, particularly in environments where users may not have automatic update capabilities. Browser hardening measures including restricted extension permissions, sandboxing configurations, and content security policies can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual browser behavior, memory access patterns, and extension tab manipulation activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of browser environments can help identify potential exploitation vectors, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and third-party extensions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all browser components, as similar memory safety issues can exist in other parts of the browser architecture, making comprehensive security maintenance essential for protecting against both current and future vulnerabilities.