CVE-2012-1538

Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site, aka "CFormElement Use…

published November 14, 2012

CVSS
—
EPSS
21%
Percentile
97.6
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A single crafted website is the key to unleashing chaos! This use-after-free vulnerability in Internet Explorer 9 could let attackers execute arbitrary code — just like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat without a proper assistant. 🐇🎩 Think of this vulnerability as an unfinished recipe where you forget to check ingredients. If you skip a step, you might be in for an unexpected flavor explosion. Here, an attacker can exploit IE's mishandling of memory to cook up something malicious on your system. If an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they could run any code they choose on your computer. This could lead to data theft, unauthorized access, or even full system control — absolutely devastating consequences for your security.

Put simply

Think of this vulnerability as an unfinished recipe where you forget to check ingredients. If you skip a step, you might be in for an unexpected flavor explosion. Here, an attacker can exploit IE's mishandling of memory to cook up something malicious on your system. This use-after-free vulnerability arises from Internet Explorer's failure to properly manage memory related to form elements, allowing attackers to manipulate memory and execute arbitrary code through crafted web content.

What to do

If an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they could run any code they choose on your computer. This could lead to data theft, unauthorized access, or even full system control — absolutely devastating consequences for your security. To safeguard your system, it's crucial to upgrade to a more secure browser version or switch to a different browser altogether. Ensure your Internet Explorer is updated to the latest patched version and consider disabling any unnecessary plugins. You've got this! By following these steps, you’ll be fortified against this sneaky vulnerability. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.21340 · 97.6th percentile
Published
2012-11-14T00:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 14 NOV 00:00Z
    Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site, aka "CFormElement Use…
    cvelistv5