Microsoft MSCOMCTL.OCX TabStrip ActiveX Control Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE-2012-1856)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTSystems running Microsoft Office 2003/2007/2010, SQL Server 2000/2005/2008, or Visual Basic 6.0 Runtime utilizing MSCOMCTL.OCX
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the active user by corrupting system memory via crafted documents or web pages
Apply the official Microsoft MS12-060 security update or configure ActiveX Kill Bits for the vulnerable TabStrip control
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Deploy the official MS12-060 security update provided by Microsoft. For legacy environments, verify the installation of the relevant KB updates using the following PowerShell command:
# Check if MS12-060 related updates (e.g., KB2597986 or KB2687323) are installed
Get-HotFix | Where-Object { $_.HotFixID -match 'KB2597986|KB2687323' }2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict the execution of the vulnerable TabStrip ActiveX control by setting the ActiveX Kill Bit in the Windows Registry.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Set Kill Bit for TabStrip ActiveX Control (MSCOMCTL.OCX)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{1EFB6596-857C-11D1-B16A-00C0F0283628}]
"Compatibility Flags"=dword:00000400
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{1EFB6596-857C-11D1-B16A-00C0F0283628}]
"Compatibility Flags"=dword:000004003. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Scan the system to identify the version of MSCOMCTL.OCX currently residing in the system directories to determine vulnerability status.
# Locate MSCOMCTL.OCX and retrieve its file version
Get-ChildItem -Path 'C:\Windows\System32', 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64' -Filter 'mscomctl.ocx' -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
Select-Object FullName, @{Name='Version';Expression={$_.VersionInfo.FileVersion}}Block Kernel Privilege Escalation & Ransomware Payloads Before You Can Reboot
Protect unpatched Windows, Linux, and macOS workloads against in-memory exploitation and lateral movement with autonomous EDR.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability exists in the TabStrip ActiveX control within the Windows Common Controls library (MSCOMCTL.OCX). The root cause is improper memory management and validation when parsing serialized ActiveX control data. When a crafted document or web page initializes the TabStrip control, it triggers system-state corruption (specifically memory corruption), allowing attackers to hijack the execution flow.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker exploits this vulnerability by embedding a malicious TabStrip ActiveX object inside an Office document (such as an RTF or Word file) or a web page. When a victim opens the document or visits the web page using a browser that supports ActiveX (like Internet Explorer), the application loads MSCOMCTL.OCX to render the control. The malformed data structure triggers memory corruption, and by leveraging techniques like heap spraying, the attacker redirects execution to their shellcode, achieving arbitrary code execution.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
As a CISA KEV-listed vulnerability, this flaw has been actively exploited in the wild. Successful exploitation grants the attacker full control over the victim's workstation or database server (e.g., SQL Server). This can lead to initial access into corporate networks, lateral movement, sensitive data exfiltration, and deployment of ransomware.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
The TabStrip ActiveX control in the Common Controls in MSCOMCTL.OCX in Microsoft Office 2003 SP3, Office 2003 Web Components SP3, Office 2007 SP2 and SP3, Office 2010 SP1, SQL Server 2000 SP4, SQL Server 2005 SP4, SQL Server 2008 SP2, SP3, R2, R2 SP1, and R2 SP2, Commerce Server 2002 SP4, Commerce Server 2007 SP2, Commerce Server 2009 Gold and R2, Host Integration Server 2004 SP1, Visual FoxPro 8.0 SP1, Visual FoxPro 9.0 SP2, and Visual Basic 6.0 Runtime allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) document or (2) web page that triggers system-state corruption, aka "MSCOMCTL.OCX RCE Vulnerability."
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2012-1856)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2012-1856 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2012-1856 is rated CVSS 8.8 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 72.0%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2012-1856?
Primary impacted vendors include microsoft across office, sql_server, commerce_server, host_integration_server, visual_foxpro, visual_basic. Scope summary: Microsoft Office 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2/SP3, 2010 SP1, SQL Server 2000 SP4, 2005 SP4, 2008 SP2/SP3/R2, Visual Basic 6.0 Runtime, and other products using MSCOMCTL.OCX
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2012-1856 before patching?
[Mitigation] Apply the official Microsoft MS12-060 security update or configure ActiveX Kill Bits for the vulnerable TabStrip control Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2012-1856
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