CVE-2012-6468 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Opera before 12.11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a long HTTP response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6468 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Opera web browsers prior to version 12.11. This flaw exists within the browser's handling of HTTP responses and demonstrates a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The issue stems from insufficient input validation when processing HTTP responses, particularly those containing excessively long data payloads that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries in the browser's memory management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Opera's memory allocation routines failing to properly bounds-check HTTP response data before copying it into heap-allocated buffers. When a maliciously crafted HTTP response contains data exceeding the predefined buffer limits, the overflow occurs in the heap memory region, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations with attacker-controlled data. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution if the overflowed memory contains executable code pointers or can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's HTTP response processing pipeline where incoming data is parsed and stored in memory structures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who browse the internet with affected Opera versions, as exploitation can occur through simple web page delivery without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that users do not need to download files or click on links to be vulnerable - simply visiting a compromised website can trigger exploitation. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be utilized by attackers to disrupt browser functionality and prevent legitimate web browsing operations.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a fundamental memory safety issue. This weakness class specifically addresses buffer overflows that occur in heap memory regions and represents one of the most common and dangerous classes of vulnerabilities in software applications. The attack surface is further expanded when considering the ATT&CK framework's T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution technique, as this vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious code on compromised systems through web browser exploitation. Organizations using affected Opera versions should immediately implement mitigations including browser updates, network-based protections, and user education regarding the risks of visiting untrusted websites. The remediation process requires updating to Opera version 12.11 or later, which includes proper bounds-checking mechanisms and memory protection enhancements to prevent the buffer overflow conditions that enable exploitation.