CVE-2012-6301 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The Browser application in Android 4.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted market: URI in the SRC attribute of an IFRAME element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6301 represents a significant security flaw in the Android 4.0.3 Browser application that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through carefully crafted market: URIs. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of URI schemes within iframe elements, demonstrating a critical weakness in the Android operating system's web browsing capabilities. The flaw exists in how the browser processes certain URI formats, particularly those beginning with the market: scheme, which is typically used for accessing the Android Market application. When a malicious website attempts to load a crafted market: URI within an iframe's src attribute, the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, leading to application instability and eventual crash.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper error handling within the Android browser's URI parsing mechanism. The market: URI scheme is designed to facilitate navigation to applications within the Android Market, but when improperly formatted or when the URI contains unexpected parameters, the browser's processing routine encounters an unhandled exception. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which addresses issues related to improper validation of input boundaries, and CWE-248, which covers unexpected exceptions in the handling of input data. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the OSI model, specifically affecting the web browser's rendering engine and its interpretation of HTML elements containing malformed URI references.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the broader context of mobile security threats. Attackers can leverage this flaw to disrupt user experience by causing frequent browser crashes, potentially leading to service unavailability for critical business applications or personal communication tools. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability supports techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category, specifically targeting the availability of applications through denial of service mechanisms. The vulnerability affects users running Android 4.0.3 systems, which were prevalent during the early 2012 timeframe, making it particularly concerning as a widespread security weakness that could be exploited across numerous devices simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6301 primarily focus on immediate system updates and proper input validation implementation. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of Android that addresses the URI parsing vulnerability, as this resolves the underlying code flaw. System administrators and security professionals should implement network-level filtering to block access to potentially malicious websites containing crafted market: URIs, while also ensuring that mobile device management policies include regular security updates. Additionally, browser security enhancements should include stricter validation of URI schemes and proper exception handling mechanisms that prevent malformed inputs from causing application crashes. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization, particularly in mobile operating systems where user interaction with web content is frequent and diverse, as recommended by industry standards such as the OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines for mobile application security.