CVE-2012-5127 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Google Chrome before 23.0.1271.64 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted WebP image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5127 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Google Chrome's WebP image decoding implementation prior to version 23.0.1271.64. This issue stems from insufficient input validation during the processing of WebP image format files, which are commonly used for web graphics due to their superior compression efficiency compared to traditional formats like jpeg and png. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of image metadata and dimension parameters within WebP files, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted image data can trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying image processing engine.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Chrome attempts to parse WebP image files containing malformed dimension values that exceed the maximum representable integer values. When the integer overflow occurs during the calculation of memory allocation or buffer boundaries, the browser's memory management system becomes compromised, leading to out-of-bounds read conditions. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable program behavior, including application crashes that manifest as denial of service conditions. The integer overflow vulnerability maps directly to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and more broadly to CWE-129, concerning insufficient bounds checking of array data.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5127 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution context and memory layout. Remote attackers can craft malicious WebP images that, when loaded by an affected Chrome browser, cause the application to read memory locations outside of intended boundaries. This could potentially expose sensitive information or provide attackers with opportunities to execute arbitrary code, though the primary reported impact was denial of service. The vulnerability affects all users of affected Chrome versions and represents a significant risk in web browsing environments where users may encounter untrusted WebP content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5127 focus primarily on immediate browser updates to versions 23.0.1271.64 or later, which contain patches addressing the integer overflow condition in WebP image processing. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious WebP image content, browser security policies that restrict image loading from untrusted sources, and user education regarding the risks of visiting unverified websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation or denial of service. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts involving crafted WebP files, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content.