CVE-2012-5135 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome before 23.0.1271.91 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to printing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5135 represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Google Chrome browser versions prior to 23.0.1271.91. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating potential opportunities for malicious exploitation. The specific weakness manifests within the browser's printing functionality, making it particularly dangerous as printing operations are common user interactions that can be easily triggered through web content. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves remote attackers who can craft malicious web pages or print-related content that triggers the flawed memory management behavior during printing operations. When Chrome processes certain print commands or print-related data structures, it fails to properly validate memory references, allowing attackers to manipulate freed memory locations. This can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, memory corruption, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the attacker's ability to control the memory layout. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the unspecified other impacts could include arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation depending on the system configuration and memory layout.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users who browse the internet regularly, as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The printing functionality serves as a common attack vector because it is frequently used and often involves complex data processing that can expose memory management flaws. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious content on compromised websites or through email attachments that trigger print operations. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the vulnerability affects a widely used browser component, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking broad impact. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as attackers can potentially leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the browser process.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5135 primarily involve immediate browser updates to version 23.0.1271.91 or later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems receive updates promptly, particularly given the remote exploitability of the vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing browser hardening configurations, disabling unnecessary printing features when not required, and employing web filtering solutions that can block access to known malicious domains. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts, while user education regarding safe browsing practices remains essential. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar memory corruption issues in other browser components or related software systems. Organizations should consider implementing sandboxing technologies and privilege separation mechanisms to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.