CVE-2012-4969
CVE-2012-4969 is a high-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2022-06-08). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-416.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
- CVSS v2: 9.3
- EPSS exploit prediction: 82% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2022-06-08)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2012-4893
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2022-06-08)
- Weakness: CWE-416
- Affected product: Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Use-after-free vulnerability in the CMshtmlEd::Exec function in mshtml.dll in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site, as exploited in the wild in September 2012.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2012-4969?
- Use-after-free vulnerability in the CMshtmlEd::Exec function in mshtml.dll in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site, as exploited in the wild in September 2012.
- How severe is CVE-2012-4969?
- CVE-2012-4969 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2012-4969 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2012-4969 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2022-06-08, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2012-4969?
- CVE-2012-4969 primarily affects Microsoft Internet Explorer. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2012-4969?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2012-4969 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2012-4969 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2012-4893. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2022-06-08).
- When was CVE-2012-4969 published?
- CVE-2012-4969 was published on 2012-09-18 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://blog.vulnhunt.com/index.php/2012/09/17/ie-execcommand-fuction-use-after-free-vulnerability-0day_en/
- http://dev.metasploit.com/redmine/projects/framework/repository/entry/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ie_execcommand_uaf.rb
- http://eromang.zataz.com/2012/09/16/zero-day-season-is-really-not-over-yet/
- http://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2757760
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/480095
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027538
- http://www.securityweek.com/new-internet-explorer-zero-day-being-exploited-wild
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-255A.html
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-262A.html
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-265A.html
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A15729
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2012-4969
Affected products (4)
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:internet_explorer:9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Microsoft Internet Explorer
- CVE-2014-1764 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 through 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code and bypass a sandbox…
- CVE-2014-1763 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 through 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…
- CVE-2010-1118 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in Internet Explorer 8 on Microsoft Windows 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…
- CVE-2009-1918 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 SP4 and 6 SP1; Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP SP2 and SP3 and Server 2003 SP2; and…
- CVE-2009-1043 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…
- CVE-2007-3341 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Unspecified vulnerability in the FTP implementation in Microsoft Internet Explorer allows remote attackers to "see a…
All CVEs affecting Microsoft Internet Explorer →
Other CWE-416 (Use After Free) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-13782 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Use after free in Browser in Google Chrome prior to 150.0.7871.47 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the…
- CVE-2026-4725 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Sandbox escape due to use-after-free in the Graphics: Canvas2D component. This vulnerability was fixed in Firefox 149…
- CVE-2026-4688 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Sandbox escape due to use-after-free in the Disability Access APIs component. This vulnerability was fixed in Firefox…
- CVE-2025-24085 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue is fixed in iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3,…
- CVE-2024-43102 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Concurrent removals of certain anonymous shared memory mappings by using the UMTX_SHM_DESTROY sub-request of…
- CVE-2021-32495 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Radare2 has a use-after-free vulnerability in pyc parser's get_none_object function. Attacker can read freed memory…