CVE-2012-5153 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Google V8 before 3.14.5.3, as used 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 that triggers an out-of-bounds access to stack memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5153 represents a critical memory safety issue within Google V8 JavaScript engine version 3.14.5.2 and earlier, which was integrated into Google Chrome browser versions prior to 24.0.1312.52. This flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds memory access condition that can be exploited through carefully crafted JavaScript code, potentially leading to system instability or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability resides in the engine's handling of JavaScript objects and memory management operations, specifically within the V8 engine's memory allocation and access mechanisms. The issue is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a significant threat in the context of modern web browsing environments where users frequently encounter untrusted content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems, and can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK framework as a technique for privilege escalation and code execution through memory corruption vulnerabilities. The flaw occurs when the V8 engine processes JavaScript code that contains malformed object references or array operations that exceed allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the target system, as demonstrated by the potential for exploitation through browser-based attacks. The out-of-bounds access allows attackers to read or write to memory locations outside the intended boundaries of allocated objects, potentially enabling them to manipulate program execution flow or extract sensitive information from memory.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5153 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability could potentially be exploited to achieve remote code execution on affected systems. When an attacker successfully triggers this vulnerability, they can cause the browser to crash or behave unpredictably, but more critically, they may be able to inject and execute malicious code within the browser's execution context. This represents a significant risk to end users who rely on web browsers for daily operations, as the vulnerability can be exploited through drive-by downloads or malicious websites that contain the crafted JavaScript code. The vulnerability affects a wide range of users since Google Chrome was widely deployed across multiple operating systems and platforms, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit browser-based vulnerabilities at scale.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5153 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of both the V8 JavaScript engine and Google Chrome browser. System administrators and users should immediately upgrade to Chrome version 24.0.1312.52 or later, which includes fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement browser security measures such as sandboxing, content security policies, and regular security updates to minimize exposure. The vulnerability's classification as a memory safety issue emphasizes the importance of employing memory-safe programming practices and regular code reviews to prevent similar flaws in software development processes. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can also provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts, though the most effective mitigation remains timely patch deployment and system updates to address the underlying memory corruption vulnerability in the V8 engine.