CVE-2011-2872 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-2011-2872 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's mobile operating systems and desktop applications. This vulnerability specifically affects Apple iOS versions prior to 5.1 and iTunes versions before 10.6, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors. The flaw manifests through crafted web content that can trigger unpredictable behavior in the underlying browser engine, potentially leading to complete system compromise or service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's rendering engine, where malicious web pages can manipulate memory structures through carefully constructed input data. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption. The flaw operates by exploiting how the browser engine handles specific data structures during page rendering, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the compromised application. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that threat actors can trigger the flaw through standard web browsing activities without requiring physical access or additional authentication.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates severe security implications for users of affected Apple products, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems. The potential for both remote code execution and denial of service makes this particularly dangerous in enterprise and consumer environments where iOS devices and iTunes installations are prevalent. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious commands on compromised systems. Organizations relying on Apple ecosystems faced significant risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited through standard web browsing or malicious email attachments containing compromised web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2872 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patch management procedures. Apple addressed this vulnerability through the release of iOS 5.1 and iTunes 10.6, which included memory safety improvements and enhanced input validation within the WebKit engine. Security professionals should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while browser security settings can be adjusted to limit potentially dangerous web content execution. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory corruption vulnerability. The remediation process requires careful testing of updates to prevent compatibility issues while ensuring complete protection against the identified threat vector.