# CVE-2012-0439: Code injection in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via malicious ActiveX controls in the Novell GroupWise client, requiring user interaction to trigger the vulnerability.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 24 Feb 2013
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6gvm-387f-376f

## What is CVE-2012-0439?

CVE-2012-0439 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Novell Groupwise, published on 24 Feb 2013. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

An ActiveX control in gwcls1.dll in the client in Novell GroupWise 8.0 before 8.0.3 HP2 and 2012 before SP1 HP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a pointer argument to the SetEngine method or (2) an XPItem pointer argument to an unspecified method.

Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2012-0439?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Novell Groupwise.

## How do I fix CVE-2012-0439?

No fix has been published for CVE-2012-0439 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2012-0439 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2012-0439 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Novell GroupWise Client gwcls1.dll ActiveX Remote Code Execution (metasploit)
- Novell Groupwise Client - 'gwcls1.dll' ActiveX Remote Code Execution (Metasploit) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Novell Groupwise

- [CVE-2014-0610](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-0610/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2013-0804](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-0804/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2012-0417](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-0417/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2012-0271](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-0271/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-0333](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-0333/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2012-0439 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2012-0439 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Novell Groupwise, published on 24 Feb 2013. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2012-0439 exists.

Affected product: Novell Groupwise. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-0439/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-0439/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2012-0439
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-0439
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2012-0439

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-0439/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.