CVE-2012-0614 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-2012-0614 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's mobile operating system iOS and desktop iTunes application. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of iOS prior to 5.1 and iTunes prior to 10.6, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors. The flaw enables malicious actors to craft specially designed web pages that can trigger arbitrary code execution or induce denial of service conditions through memory corruption mechanisms. Unlike other WebKit vulnerabilities documented in the same advisory period, this particular issue demonstrates distinct characteristics that differentiate it from the broader class of WebKit exploits previously catalogued under APPLE-SA-2012-03-07-1 and APPLE-SA-2012-03-07-2, suggesting a unique exploitation vector or memory handling pattern.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's rendering engine, particularly when processing malformed web content. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious web pages that contain crafted payloads designed to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities in the browser engine's handling of specific web elements. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing or rendering of web content, potentially leading to stack or heap corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or application crash conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-119 weakness category, which encompasses memory safety issues including buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, and other memory corruption scenarios that can result in arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0614 extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates opportunities for sophisticated attacks that can compromise user systems. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability through web-based delivery mechanisms without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised web hosting environments. The vulnerability affects both iOS mobile devices and desktop iTunes applications, creating a broad attack surface that could potentially impact millions of users. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can result in complete system compromise or denial of service conditions that prevent legitimate users from accessing their devices or applications. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1059.005, which involves the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution, and T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to prevent exploitation. Apple released iOS 5.1 and iTunes 10.6 updates that address this memory corruption issue through improved input validation and enhanced memory management routines within WebKit. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these security patches across all affected devices and applications, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile device management solutions can facilitate rapid remediation. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, disabling JavaScript in trusted environments, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify potentially unpatched systems. Network-level controls such as web proxies with content filtering capabilities can provide additional defense-in-depth layers to prevent access to malicious websites that might exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.