CVE-2010-1752 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in CFNetwork in Apple iOS before 4 on the iPhone and iPod touch allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via vectors related to URL handling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1752 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within Apple's CFNetwork framework affecting iOS versions prior to 4.0 on iPhone and iPod touch devices. This flaw resides in the network subsystem's handling of malformed URL data, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by attackers. The vulnerability specifically impacts the way CFNetwork processes certain URL structures, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the CFNetwork component processes URLs containing specially crafted data structures that exceed the allocated stack buffer space. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The flaw manifests during URL parsing operations when the application fails to properly validate input length against predetermined buffer boundaries, creating a predictable memory corruption scenario that can be exploited through network-based attacks.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents severe implications for iOS device security as it enables remote code execution capabilities without requiring physical access or user interaction. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when processed by vulnerable iOS devices, trigger the buffer overflow condition leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially full system compromise, as successful exploitation can allow attackers to execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the affected application. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where iOS devices handle sensitive data or serve as network endpoints.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily through network-based URL handling, including web browsing, email clients, and any application that processes external URL data through the CFNetwork framework. This includes mobile applications that utilize Apple's built-in networking capabilities, making the attack vector particularly broad and difficult to fully mitigate. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control communications, where attackers can establish persistent access through compromised devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1752 require immediate system updates to iOS 4.0 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper bounds checking and input validation within the CFNetwork framework. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious URL patterns and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and prevent installation of vulnerable applications. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through unusual URL processing patterns and implement web filtering solutions that can block known malicious URL structures. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of timely security updates and proper input validation in preventing remote code execution exploits.