CVE-2011-2867 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 5.1 and iTunes before 10.6, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than other WebKit CVEs listed in APPLE-SA-2012-03-07-1 and APPLE-SA-2012-03-07-2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2867 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's iOS operating system and iTunes media software. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of iOS prior to 5.1 and iTunes versions before 10.6, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors who can leverage crafted web content to compromise system integrity. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes certain web page elements, leading to unpredictable memory behavior that can be exploited for unauthorized code execution or deliberate system disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during web content rendering processes within the WebKit engine. When users visit maliciously crafted websites, the engine fails to properly validate or sanitize input data structures, resulting in buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that corrupt memory segments. This memory corruption can be directly manipulated by attackers to overwrite critical program execution pointers or inject malicious code into the running process. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) classifications, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and execution flow.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to end users as it enables remote code execution without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack vector operates entirely through web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter compromised content through social engineering, drive-by downloads, or compromised advertising networks. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected application, potentially resulting in data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or further escalation to adjacent systems. The vulnerability also enables denial of service conditions that can cause applications to crash or become unresponsive, disrupting normal user operations.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including prompt deployment of Apple's security patches and updates for iOS 5.1 and iTunes 10.6 releases that address this memory corruption issue. Organizations should also consider network-level protections such as web content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to reduce exposure risk. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1070 (Indicator Removal on Host) through its potential for persistent access and system compromise. Additionally, monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns or process behavior anomalies can help detect exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify proper patch management across all affected systems to prevent exploitation of this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.