CVE-2012-6464 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Opera before 12.10 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted JavaScript code that overrides methods of unspecified native objects in documents that have different origins.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6464 represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw affecting Opera web browsers prior to version 12.10. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the browser's JavaScript execution environment, specifically when handling documents with different origins. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious code through carefully crafted JavaScript sequences that manipulate native object methods, creating a persistent threat vector that transcends traditional security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the browser's handling of cross-origin document interactions and method overriding mechanisms. When Opera processes JavaScript code from different origins, it fails to properly validate or sanitize method overrides on native objects, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute within the context of the victim's browsing session. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of same-origin policy enforcement and demonstrates a critical failure in the browser's security model.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to users who browse the internet with outdated Opera versions, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The impact extends beyond simple script injection to potentially enable session hijacking, data theft, and further exploitation of the victim's browser environment. Security researchers have categorized this as a type of XSS vulnerability that specifically targets the browser's JavaScript engine and object model implementation, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where outdated browser versions may be prevalent.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of malicious content to gain initial access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory browser updates, deployment of web application firewalls, and enhanced content security policies to prevent exploitation. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing browser security extensions that provide additional layers of protection against method override attacks. The remediation strategy must prioritize urgent patch deployment while maintaining awareness of potential exploitation attempts in the wild, as this vulnerability was actively exploited by threat actors targeting Opera users before the release of version 12.10.