CVE-2012-0615 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-2012-0615 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's mobile operating systems and media software. 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 who can leverage malicious web content to compromise affected systems. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes certain web content, allowing attackers to craft malicious websites that trigger memory corruption conditions leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or memory management issue within WebKit's rendering engine, where improper input validation and memory handling allows attackers to manipulate heap memory structures. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in memory corruption and potential code execution. The flaw operates by exploiting the way WebKit handles specific web elements or JavaScript constructs, potentially through malformed HTML, CSS, or JavaScript code that when rendered causes the browser engine to write beyond allocated memory boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to users of affected Apple products, as it enables remote code execution without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack vector leverages the trust users place in web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites that could be encountered during normal internet usage. The potential for both arbitrary code execution and denial of service means that attackers could not only steal sensitive data or establish persistent access but also disrupt system operations through application crashes that could be used for further exploitation attempts.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as part of the broader WebKit exploitation landscape, particularly in relation to the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers could use the arbitrary code execution capability to deploy additional payloads or establish backdoors. The impact extends beyond individual user devices to enterprise environments where Apple products are prevalent, potentially enabling attackers to gain access to corporate networks through compromised mobile devices. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also considering browser isolation techniques and web content filtering as additional defensive measures. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and the risks associated with outdated software components in mobile ecosystems.