CVE-2012-5151 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Google Chrome before 24.0.1312.52 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JavaScript code in a PDF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5151 represents a critical integer overflow flaw discovered in Google Chrome versions prior to 24.0.1312.52. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of JavaScript code embedded within PDF documents, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by remote adversaries. The flaw manifests when Chrome processes malformed JavaScript within PDF files, leading to potential system instability and unpredictable behavior. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they leverage the intersection of PDF rendering capabilities and JavaScript execution within web browsers, creating complex attack vectors that can bypass traditional security measures. The integer overflow condition occurs during memory allocation calculations, where maliciously crafted JavaScript code can manipulate integer values to exceed maximum allowable limits, potentially causing buffer overflows or memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting PDF documents containing specially designed JavaScript code that triggers the integer overflow during Chrome's processing of PDF content. When the browser attempts to allocate memory for the JavaScript execution context, the overflow condition causes the integer calculation to wrap around to a much smaller value than intended. This memory allocation error can result in insufficient buffer space being allocated, leading to memory corruption that manifests as denial of service conditions or potentially more severe impacts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption, and represents a classic example of how integer arithmetic errors in memory management can create exploitable conditions. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious PDF files on compromised websites or through phishing campaigns, where unsuspecting users opening these documents trigger the vulnerable code path within Chrome's PDF viewer component.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5151 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the integer overflow could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment. When the memory corruption occurs, it may result in browser crashes, application instability, or even provide attackers with opportunities to execute arbitrary code through subsequent exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects all versions of Chrome prior to 24.0.1312.52, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not implemented timely security updates. The flaw demonstrates the complexity of modern browser security architectures, where PDF rendering components must maintain strict memory boundaries while processing potentially malicious content. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting weaknesses in applications to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with PDF documents from external sources, creating numerous potential entry points for attackers.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to Chrome version 24.0.1312.52 or later, which includes patches addressing the integer overflow condition. Security administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as restricting PDF document handling in high-security environments, implementing content filtering solutions, and monitoring for suspicious PDF file downloads. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated, as Chrome's automatic update mechanisms can help prevent exploitation of such flaws. Network security teams should consider implementing web application firewalls or content inspection tools that can detect and block malicious PDF documents containing suspicious JavaScript code. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust vulnerability management processes. The flaw serves as a reminder of the critical nature of memory safety in modern software applications, particularly in browser environments where multiple security contexts must be carefully managed to prevent exploitation.