CVE-2012-6041 in GreenBrowser
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in GreenBrowser before 6.0.1002, when the keyword search bar (F6) is activated, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted iframe.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2025
The CVE-2012-6041 vulnerability represents a critical double free memory corruption issue affecting GreenBrowser versions prior to 6.0.1002. This flaw manifests specifically when the keyword search bar functionality is activated through the F6 key combination, creating a remote code execution vector that can be exploited by attackers who craft malicious iframes. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the browser's handling of search bar interactions, where the application fails to properly validate or manage memory allocation and deallocation sequences. This particular implementation flaw allows attackers to manipulate the browser's memory state through carefully constructed iframe content that triggers the double free condition when processing search bar activation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability operates through a classic memory corruption attack pattern where the attacker crafts a malicious iframe containing specially designed content that, when processed by GreenBrowser's search bar functionality, causes the application to free the same memory block twice. This double free condition creates a predictable memory state that can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory structures, ultimately allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the victim user. The attack requires no user interaction beyond the normal browser usage scenario, as the malicious iframe can be embedded within web pages that users visit, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for widespread exploitation. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-415 Double Free, which is a well-documented category of memory safety issues that occurs when a program frees the same memory block twice, leading to undefined behavior and potential code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6041 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive information, modify browser behavior, or establish persistent backdoors on affected systems. The vulnerability affects users across multiple operating systems where GreenBrowser is deployed, particularly impacting environments where users frequently browse untrusted websites or encounter malicious content through web advertisements. The low attack complexity combined with the high impact makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit large user bases with minimal effort. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in corporate environments where users may be accessing web content without proper security filtering or sandboxing in place.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6041 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected GreenBrowser installations to version 6.0.1002 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to known malicious domains that may host exploit code. Browser security enhancements including sandboxing, memory protection mechanisms, and automatic update policies should be enabled to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in browser development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute malicious commands within the browser context. Additionally, security awareness training for users to avoid visiting suspicious websites and to maintain updated software versions remains crucial in defending against this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.