CVE-2012-4969

HIGH KEV

Microsoft Internet Explorer <10 - RCE

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2012-4969 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added June 8, 2022. EIP tracks 2 public exploits from researchers including Metasploit, unknown, eromang, binjo, sinn3r, juan vazquez, including a Metasploit module exploits/windows/browser/ie_execcommand_uaf.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This Metasploit module exploits a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer (CVE-2012-4969) by manipulating the CMshtmlEd object, leading to remote code execution. It includes ROP chains for various targets and uses heap spraying techniques to achieve reliable exploitation.

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.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotewindows
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/21840

This Metasploit module exploits a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer (CVE-2012-4969) by manipulating the CMshtmlEd object, leading to remote code execution. It includes ROP chains for various targets and uses heap spraying techniques to achieve reliable exploitation.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Internet Explorer 7-9 on Windows XP SP3, Vista, and 7
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be using a vulnerable version of Internet Explorer (7-9) · Specific ROP dependencies (e.g., msvcrt for XP SP3, JRE for Vista/7)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC GOOD
by unknown, eromang, binjo, sinn3r, juan vazquez · rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/browser/ie_execcommand_uaf.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer (CVE-2012-4969) by manipulating the CMshtmlEd object, leading to arbitrary code execution. It includes ROP chains for various targets and employs heap spraying techniques to achieve reliability.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Microsoft Internet Explorer 7-9
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be using a vulnerable version of Internet Explorer (7-9) · JavaScript must be enabled in the target browser
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →

References (12)

Core 12
Core References
Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-265A.html
Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/480095
Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-262A.html
Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-255A.html
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1027538
Patch, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
http://technet.microsoft.com/security/advisory/2757760

Scores

CVSS v3 8.1
EPSS 0.9178
EPSS Percentile 99.7%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CISA KEV 2022-06-08
VulnCheck KEV 2012-09-18
InTheWild.io 2017-11-21
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2012-4893
CWE
CWE-416
Status published
Products (4)
microsoft/internet_explorer 6
microsoft/internet_explorer 7
microsoft/internet_explorer 8
microsoft/internet_explorer 9
Published Sep 18, 2012
KEV Added Jun 08, 2022
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026