What is the CVSS score of CVE-2012-1856?

CVE-2012-1856 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 91.9%.

Which versions of Microsoft are affected by CVE-2012-1856?

CVE-2012-1856 presents significant security risk rated CVSS 8.8. Successful exploitation could significantly impact the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of affected systems.. A patch is available.

Is CVE-2012-1856 being actively exploited?

Yes, CVE-2012-1856 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active in-the-wild exploitation. Immediate patching is required.

How to fix or mitigate CVE-2012-1856?

Within 24 hours: Identify all affected systems and apply vendor patches immediately. Vendor patch is available.

Microsoft CVE-2012-1856

HIGH

2012-08-15 secure@microsoft.com

Microsoft RCE

8.8

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

8.8 HIGH

AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

Re-analysis Queued

Apr 21, 2026 - 15:22 vuln.today

cvss_changed

Analysis Generated

Mar 26, 2026 - 11:18 vuln.today

Added to CISA KEV

Oct 22, 2025 - 01:15 cisa

CISA KEV

Patch released

Oct 22, 2025 - 01:15 nvd

Patch available

CVE Published

Aug 15, 2012 - 01:55 nvd

HIGH 8.8

DescriptionCVE.org

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."

AnalysisAI

The TabStrip ActiveX control in MSCOMCTL.OCX across Microsoft Office, SQL Server, and Commerce Server allows remote code execution through crafted documents, serving as a secondary exploit vector alongside CVE-2012-0158.

Technical ContextAI

Similar to CVE-2012-0158, the TabStrip control fails to properly validate data when loading ActiveX content from documents. The memory corruption allows attackers to achieve code execution when the victim opens a crafted document.

RemediationAI

Apply Microsoft security update MS12-060. Disable ActiveX controls in Office via Group Policy. Block documents containing ActiveX content at the email gateway.