Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSummary
CVE-2012-1889 is a high-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Microsoft Xml Core Services. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068); ranked in the top 0.3% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
Microsoft XML Core Services versions 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 contain a vulnerability in which the software accesses uninitialized memory locations. This flaw is tracked as CVE-2012-1889 and is associated with CWE-787. It affects the component when processing input from remote sources, resulting in memory corruption that can be triggered through a crafted web site. The issue carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8, reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Remote attackers can exploit the vulnerability by serving a malicious web page to a victim who visits it with a browser that uses the affected XML Core Services components. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution or a denial-of-service condition through memory corruption. No authentication is required, although user interaction in the form of visiting the crafted site is necessary.
Microsoft security bulletin MS12-043 and the associated technet advisory 2719615, along with US-CERT alerts TA12-174A and TA12-192A, address the issue and point to available patches and mitigation guidance. OVAL definitions have also been published to support detection of the vulnerable state.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2012-1899
Vulnerability Data
Microsoft XML Core Services 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 accesses uninitialized memory locations, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site.
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 08 June 2022
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Out-of-bounds writes that corrupt control flow or inject shellcode are rendered non-executable by the same memory protections.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Secure-development practices (static analysis, bounds checking, code review) are the primary means of preventing out-of-bounds writes.
Vulnerability scanning and recording can discover out-of-bounds write flaws so they can be remediated.
Patching or replacing vulnerable software directly eliminates known instances of this coding weakness.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Security testing in development and acceptance can detect and prevent out-of-bounds write defects.
Secure development life cycle mandates practices that prevent out-of-bounds writes.
Application security requirements can specify bounds-checking and safe memory handling.
Secure architecture and engineering principles reduce the likelihood of buffer overflows.
Secure coding directly addresses out-of-bounds writes through language choice and coding standards.
Change management can enforce review gates that catch unsafe memory operations before deployment.