CVE-2012-4792

Name: CVE-2012-4792
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2012-12-30T18:55:01.477+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 78.82%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2012-4792 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site that triggers access to an object that (1) was not properly allocated or (2) is deleted, as demonstrated by a CDwnBindInfo object, and exploited in the wild in December 2012.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 78.82% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site that triggers access to an object that (1) was not properly allocated or (2) is deleted, as demonstrated by a CDwnBindInfo object, and exploited in the wild in December 2012.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

78.82%

99.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Aug 13, 2024.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Microsoft	Internet Explorer	6
Microsoft	Internet Explorer	7
Microsoft	Internet Explorer	8

References

http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/12/council-foreign-relations-water-hole-attack-details.htmlBroken Link
http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/12/29/new-vulnerability-affecting-internet-explorer-8-users.aspxBroken Link
http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/12/31/microsoft-quot-fix-it-quot-available-for-internet-explorer-6-7-and-8.aspxBroken Link
http://eromang.zataz.com/2012/12/29/attack-and-ie-0day-informations-used-against-council-on-foreign-relations/Third Party Advisory
http://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/just-another-water-hole-campaign-using-an-internet-explorer-0day/Broken Link
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/119168/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer-CDwnBindInfo-Object-Use-After-Free.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2794220Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/154201Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA13-008A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA13-015A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-008Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ie_cbutton_uaf.rbThird Party Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16361Broken Link
http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/12/council-foreign-relations-water-hole-attack-details.htmlBroken Link
http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/12/29/new-vulnerability-affecting-internet-explorer-8-users.aspxBroken Link
http://blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2012/12/31/microsoft-quot-fix-it-quot-available-for-internet-explorer-6-7-and-8.aspxBroken Link
http://eromang.zataz.com/2012/12/29/attack-and-ie-0day-informations-used-against-council-on-foreign-relations/Third Party Advisory
http://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/just-another-water-hole-campaign-using-an-internet-explorer-0day/Broken Link
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/119168/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer-CDwnBindInfo-Object-Use-After-Free.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2794220Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/154201Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA13-008A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA13-015A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2013/ms13-008Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ie_cbutton_uaf.rbThird Party Advisory
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16361Broken Link
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2012-4792US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Dec 30, 2012
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-4792?

How severe is CVE-2012-4792?

CVE-2012-4792 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 78.82% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2012-4792?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2012-4792?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST