CVE-2012-5143 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Google Chrome before 23.0.1271.97 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to PPAPI image buffers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5143 represents a critical integer overflow flaw discovered in Google Chrome versions prior to 23.0.1271.97. This issue specifically affects the Pepper Plugin Application Programming Interface PPAPI implementation within the browser's image buffer handling mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic overflow protection when processing image data within PPAPI contexts, creating a potential pathway for malicious exploitation that could compromise system stability and security.
The technical flaw manifests when Chrome processes image buffers through PPAPI components, where integer overflow conditions occur during buffer size calculations or memory allocation operations. This overflow can result in incorrect memory management decisions, potentially leading to buffer overflows, memory corruption, or arbitrary code execution depending on the exploitation context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the browser's plugin handling system, which often runs with elevated privileges and has direct access to system resources. The integer overflow specifically impacts the calculation of memory buffer sizes, where maliciously crafted image data could cause the system to allocate insufficient memory or trigger unexpected behavior during image processing operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for remote attackers who can leverage it to cause denial of service conditions or potentially achieve more severe impacts including arbitrary code execution. The attack surface is broad as it affects any user who interacts with web content that utilizes PPAPI plugins, particularly those involving image processing or multimedia functionality. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable privilege escalation or system compromise, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where browser security is paramount. The flaw demonstrates a classic security weakness in memory management and input validation that aligns with common CWE categories related to integer overflows and buffer management issues.
The exploitation of CVE-2012-5143 follows patterns consistent with attack frameworks such as the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under process injection and memory corruption techniques. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader browser security posture assessments, as it highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory safety mechanisms in complex software systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping browser software updated, as the issue was resolved through proper patching of the integer overflow conditions in Chrome's PPAPI implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other browser components and third-party plugins that may exhibit similar integer overflow characteristics.