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CVE-2012-4969 — Use-after-free vulnerability in the CMshtmlEd::Exec function in mshtml.dll in Microsoft…

Key facts

CVE-2012-4969 is a High (8.1) vulnerability: Use-after-free vulnerability in the CMshtmlEd::Exec function in mshtml.dll in Microsoft…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-06-08), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog

CVE-2012-4969 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-06-08), confirming exploitation in the wild. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-06-22. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
CVE CVE-2012-4969
Severity High (8.1)
CISA KEV Actively exploited (added 2022-06-08)
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2012/CVE-2012-4969/

Details

English | 한국어

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.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2012-4969
CVSS Score 8.1

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2012/CVE-2012-4969/poc.py

Usage

# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>

# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>

⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.

Test Lab

This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.

Quick Start

# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2012-4969

# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d

# Run tests
./run-tests.sh    # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1   # Windows PowerShell

Application Endpoints

Application URL Status
Vulnerable App http://localhost:8080 Shows vulnerability
Patched App http://localhost:8081 Demonstrates fix

Directory Structure

├── README.md           # English documentation
├── README_KO.md        # Korean documentation
├── poc.py              # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml  # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh        # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1       # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/     # Vulnerable version
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── Dockerfile
│   └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/        # Fixed version
    ├── app.py
    ├── Dockerfile
    └── requirements.txt

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
  • 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

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-08-01T01:36:31.831945535

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-4969?

CVE-2012-4969 is a High (8.1) vulnerability: Use-after-free vulnerability in the CMshtmlEd::Exec function in mshtml.dll in Microsoft…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-06-08), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

How do I detect CVE-2012-4969?

Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.

How do I block or mitigate CVE-2012-4969?

Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.

Is CVE-2012-4969 actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2012-4969 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2022-06-08, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2022-06-22. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.

For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.