CVE-2012-0158 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting numerous Microsoft products, including Office 2003, 2007, and 2010 versions, as well as SQL Server 2000, 2005, and 2008. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through specially crafted web pages, Office documents, or .rtf files that trigger "system state" corruption.
The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS score of 8.8, indicating a high severity level. The implications of this vulnerability are significant, as it can lead to unauthorized control over affected systems. In the wild exploitation of this vulnerability was observed as early as April 2012.
Organizations using vulnerable versions of Microsoft products need to be aware of the risks associated with this vulnerability. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to conduct attacks that can compromise sensitive information and disrupt operations.
Given the potential for significant impact, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability arises from the (1) ListView, (2) ListView2, (3) TreeView, and (4) TreeView2 ActiveX controls found in MSCOMCTL.OCX. These controls are part of the Common Controls library in Microsoft Office and other Microsoft applications. The vulnerability is documented under CWE-94, which refers to code injection vulnerabilities.
The CVSS 3.1 vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating a network attack vector with low complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as high.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2012-0158 is the improper handling of ActiveX controls in various Microsoft products. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by enticing users to visit a malicious web page or open a compromised document. This attack vector enables the execution of arbitrary code within the context of the user.
The attack complexity is low, as it does not require advanced technical skills to execute. User interaction is necessary, making social engineering techniques a likely component of successful exploitation.
The scope of the attack remains unchanged, meaning that the attacker's actions do not affect the overall security state of the system beyond the initial exploit. However, the impacts are severe, as they can lead to significant breaches of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk for organizations using affected Microsoft products is substantial. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, compromise of user accounts, and potential disruptions to business operations. The blast radius could extend to any connected systems, increasing the overall risk.
Given that this vulnerability has been added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, organizations should view the urgency of remediation as critical. Immediate action is necessary to protect against potential exploitation.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Microsoft products include:
- Microsoft Office 2003 SP3 - Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 and SP3 - Microsoft Office 2010 Gold and SP1 - Microsoft SQL Server 2000 SP4 - Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP4 - Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP2, SP3, and R2 - Microsoft BizTalk Server 2002 SP1 - Microsoft Commerce Server 2002 SP4, 2007 SP2, and 2009 Gold and R2 - Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Runtime - Microsoft Visual FoxPro 8.0 SP1 and 9.0 SP2
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the appropriate patches as recommended by Microsoft. The relevant patch information can be found in the Microsoft Security Bulletin MS12-027.
Organizations should also consider implementing network controls and monitoring measures to detect any suspicious activities related to this vulnerability. Regular security assessments, including penetration testing, can help identify and remediate vulnerabilities effectively.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor their systems for any signs of exploitation attempts. Key indicators to watch for include unusual web traffic patterns, unexpected behavior in applications using ActiveX controls, and logs showing unauthorized access attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2012-0158 illustrates the ongoing risks associated with legacy software components in widely used applications. Security teams should prioritize regular updates and patches as part of their security hygiene. Furthermore, organizations should be proactive in their approach to security by adopting strategies such as penetration testing methodology and continuous monitoring to stay ahead of potential threats.
Additionally, organizations should consider investing in comprehensive security training for their staff to recognize potential threats and implement best practices. As the landscape of vulnerabilities evolves, staying informed and prepared is vital.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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