CVE-2012-0172

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 does not properly handle objects in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing a…

published April 10, 2012

CVSS
—
EPSS
22%
Percentile
97.6
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ An outdated Internet Explorer can play host to a remote code execution party! 😱 Attackers could exploit a memory mishandling issue in IE 6-8 to run arbitrary code. Think of it like an old movie theater where the projectionist accidentally plays a reel that should have been thrown away — the unexpected film can lead to some wild and unplanned scenes! 🎬 In this case, attackers can access and exploit deleted objects, which should no longer be on the screen. If successfully exploited, attackers could execute any code they desire, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or system compromise. Imagine a guest slipping in through the back door during the chaos, causing absolute mayhem!

Put simply

Think of it like an old movie theater where the projectionist accidentally plays a reel that should have been thrown away — the unexpected film can lead to some wild and unplanned scenes! 🎬 In this case, attackers can access and exploit deleted objects, which should no longer be on the screen. This vulnerability arises because Internet Explorer 6 through 8 improperly handles objects in memory, failing to secure deleted objects. As a result, remote attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the user's system without any authentication.

What to do

If successfully exploited, attackers could execute any code they desire, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or system compromise. Imagine a guest slipping in through the back door during the chaos, causing absolute mayhem! For protection, it's time to upgrade! Move away from Internet Explorer 6-8 to a more secure browser or ensure your users are using an updated version, ideally the latest one. Educate users about avoiding outdated software, which could serve as an entry point for attackers. You’ve got this! By updating and educating, you’ll keep those pesky attackers at bay. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.21897 · 97.6th percentile
Published
2012-04-10T21:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 10 APR 21:00Z
    Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 does not properly handle objects in memory, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by accessing a…
    cvelistv5