Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2012-4969 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 8 Jun 2022

Gociux · Microsoft Internet Explorer · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2012-4969, Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 8 Jun 2022, 3550 days after it was published. It affects Microsoft Internet Explorer. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 8 Jun 2022

ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use

EPSStop 1%among the most likely CVEs to be exploited

severity8.1CVSS 3.1 · high

US federal due22 Jun 2022BOD 22-01 deadline

What it is

Microsoft Internet Explorer contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute code via a crafted web site.

Vendor	Microsoft (391 exploited CVEs in KEV)
Product	Internet Explorer
Vulnerability	Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Vulnerability
Weakness	not specified
Published	18 Sep 2012
Added to KEV	8 Jun 2022
Reported by (CNA)	mitre

What to do

Check whether you run it. Look for Internet Explorer in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited Microsoft CVE at once.
Apply the fix. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 18 Sep 2012.
Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for Microsoft.

Other exploited CVEs in Internet Explorer

CVE-2010-0249: Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Vulnerability (20 May 2026)
CVE-2010-0806: Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Vulnerability (20 May 2026)
CVE-2010-3962: Microsoft Internet Explorer Uninitialized Memory Corruption Vulnerability (6 Oct 2025)
CVE-2013-3893: Microsoft Internet Explorer Resource Management Errors Vulnerability (12 Aug 2025)
CVE-2012-4792: Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Vulnerability (23 Jul 2024)
CVE-2013-3163: Microsoft Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability (30 Mar 2023)

References

nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-4969

Questions

Is CVE-2012-4969 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2012-4969 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 8 Jun 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2012-4969 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2012-4969?

Apply updates per vendor instructions. Check Microsoft's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected Internet Explorer and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in June 2022 · Microsoft scorecard · act-now radar.

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