CVE-2012-0591 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 • 01/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0591 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit, the web browser engine that powers Apple's iOS and iTunes applications. This vulnerability specifically affects Apple iOS versions prior to 5.1 and iTunes versions prior to 10.6, creating a significant security risk for users of these platforms. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit a crafted website to either execute arbitrary code on the target system or cause a denial of service condition resulting in application crashes. This vulnerability operates through a distinct code path from other WebKit vulnerabilities documented in Apple Security Alerts APPLE-SA-2012-03-07-1 and APPLE-SA-2012-03-07-2, making it particularly concerning as it represents a unique attack vector within the WebKit rendering engine.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's JavaScript engine, specifically involving the interaction between JavaScript objects and the underlying memory management system. When a malicious website is loaded, the crafted content triggers a memory corruption condition that can be exploited to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The vulnerability likely involves heap corruption or buffer overflow conditions that occur during JavaScript object manipulation, where the memory allocated for JavaScript objects becomes corrupted due to improper bounds checking or memory management routines. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code remotely. This means that a user visiting a malicious website could have their device compromised without any user interaction beyond browsing to the site. The vulnerability affects both mobile and desktop environments through the iOS operating system and iTunes applications, creating a wide attack surface. Mobile users are particularly at risk since iOS devices often contain sensitive personal and corporate data, while iTunes users face similar risks when using the application to manage media content or synchronize devices. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it especially dangerous as it requires no local access or physical presence to compromise the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to the affected software versions that contain patches addressing the memory corruption issue. Apple released iOS 5.1 and iTunes 10.6 updates that contain fixes for this vulnerability, making software updates the primary defense mechanism. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security updates promptly. Network administrators can also deploy web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious websites until updates are deployed, though this approach provides only temporary protection. The vulnerability's nature as a memory corruption flaw makes it particularly resistant to traditional antivirus solutions, emphasizing the importance of timely patch deployment. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping their software up to date, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how web-based attacks can leverage browser engine flaws to compromise entire systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of web browsers through memory corruption vulnerabilities, and demonstrates the ongoing challenge that browser-based exploits pose to enterprise security environments.