MEDIUM
CVE-2012-5855
CWE-189Published: July 10, 2013· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
4.3
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
The SHAddToRecentDocs function in VideoLAN VLC media player 2.0.4 and earlier might allow user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted file name that triggers an incorrect string-length calculation when the file is added to VLC. NOTE: it is not clear whether this issue crosses privilege boundaries or whether it can be exploited without user interaction.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2012-5855 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityM
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityP
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P
Affected Vendors & Products
videolan1 product(s)
vlc media player
Source: NVD CPE · 5 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
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GitHub PoC Search
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Rapid7 / Metasploit
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PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
All References (6)
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2012-5855
CVSS Score4.3 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-189
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedJul 10, 2013
Related CVEs (CWE-189)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2012-5855 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.