CVE-2012-0595 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-2012-0595 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's iOS operating system and iTunes software. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of iOS prior to 5.1 and iTunes versions before 10.6, creating a significant security risk for users who have not updated their systems. The flaw manifests through maliciously crafted web content that can trigger unauthorized code execution or system instability, making it particularly dangerous in mobile and desktop environments where users frequently browse the internet.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's rendering engine, which processes web content for display in Apple's applications. When users visit malicious websites containing specially crafted HTML, JavaScript, or multimedia content, the WebKit engine fails to properly validate or sanitize input data, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can occur in various components including JavaScript engines, HTML parsers, or multimedia decoders, ultimately allowing attackers to manipulate memory addresses and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within WebKit's memory management subsystem, making it particularly challenging to detect and exploit.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0595 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it enables full remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged for sophisticated attacks. Attackers can craft web pages that, when loaded in Safari on iOS devices or iTunes applications, trigger memory corruption that allows them to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to system resources. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple platforms and applications that rely on WebKit for web content rendering. The potential for denial of service attacks combined with remote code execution capabilities makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise and consumer environments where mobile devices are extensively used.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and control communication, T1068 for exploit development, and T1547 for persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the classic pattern of memory corruption flaws that can be exploited through web-based attack vectors, making it a prime example of how browser engine vulnerabilities can be weaponized for advanced persistent threats. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also considering enhanced browser security configurations to mitigate the risk of similar future vulnerabilities.