CVE-2012-1527

Vulnerability

An integer underflow vulnerability exists in the Windows Shell component when processing specially crafted briefcase files. This flaw affects Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012. The vulnerability is triggered when Windows Explorer attempts to parse a malicious briefcase, leading to memory corruption [1].

Exploitation

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious briefcase file and convincing a user to browse to it via Windows Explorer, for example through an email attachment, a web download, or a network share. No authentication is required, but user interaction is necessary. The integer underflow causes a memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user [1].

Impact

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. If the user has administrative rights, the attacker can gain complete control of the system, including the ability to install programs, view, change, or delete data, and create new accounts with full user rights [1].

Mitigation

Microsoft released security update MS12-072 on November 13, 2012, which addresses this vulnerability by correcting the way Windows Shell handles briefcase files. Customers with automatic updating enabled will receive the update automatically. No workarounds are documented, and the vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog [1][2].