---
id: "CVE-2012-4792"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2012-4792"]
title: "Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary\u2026"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.3
epss: null
exploited: true
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "Microsoft Internet Explorer", "fixed": [], "affected": "", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft internet explorer", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 6", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft internet explorer", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 7", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "microsoft internet explorer", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 8", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["browser", "exploited", "infrastructure", "internet-explorer", "windows"]
not_affected_if: ["no-ie-installed"]
published_at: "2012-12-30T18:55:01+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-23T22:29:05+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "kev", "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2012-4792", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00"}, {"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-4792", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:29:05+00:00"}]
---

# Use-after-free vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 through 8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…

Microsoft Internet Explorer has a use-after-free bug that lets a crafted web page run code on the visitor's machine. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, so attacks have been seen in the wild.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:Microsoft Internet Explorer affected ? fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft internet explorer affected = 6 fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft internet explorer affected = 7 fixed ?
- vendor:microsoft internet explorer affected = 8 fixed ?

## How to check

Check whether any machine still runs Internet Explorer, for example with 'reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer" /v svcVersion' on Windows.

## Fix

Remove or disconnect Internet Explorer from use, as CISA requires for this end-of-life product.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T19:11:51+00:00 kev https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search_api_fulltext=CVE-2012-4792
- 2026-10-23T22:29:05+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-4792

## From the sources

Microsoft Internet Explorer contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site that triggers access to an object that (1) was not properly allocated or (2) is deleted, as demonstrated by a CDwnBindInfo object.

CISA required action: The impacted product is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_