CVE-2012-0621 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-2012-0621 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit, the web browser engine that powers Apple's iOS operating system and iTunes software. This vulnerability specifically affects Apple iOS versions prior to 5.1 and iTunes versions before 10.6, creating a significant security risk for users of these older software versions. 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. Unlike other WebKit vulnerabilities documented in the same advisory cycle, this particular flaw demonstrates distinct characteristics that make it particularly dangerous in the context of web-based attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's rendering engine, which processes web content for display in iOS applications and iTunes. When a user visits a maliciously crafted website, the WebKit engine encounters malformed or specially constructed web content that triggers memory corruption. This memory corruption can occur during various web rendering operations such as JavaScript execution, HTML parsing, or CSS processing. The vulnerability likely involves buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that occur when WebKit attempts to handle unexpected input from web pages. These memory corruption issues can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0621 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides attackers with the capability to achieve remote code execution on vulnerable systems. This means that users could be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, without any additional interaction required from the user. The vulnerability affects both iOS devices and iTunes installations, creating a broad attack surface that could impact millions of users. In practical terms, this means that attackers could deploy malware, steal user data, or take complete control of affected devices through web-based attacks. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Access to Memory Location," and may also relate to CWE-125, "Out-of-bounds Read," or CWE-787, "Out-of-bounds Write," depending on the specific memory corruption mechanism exploited.
Organizations and individual users affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates, as Apple released iOS 5.1 and iTunes 10.6 to address this specific flaw. System administrators should ensure that all affected devices are updated to the latest versions of iOS and iTunes to prevent exploitation. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement network-based protections to detect and block access to known malicious domains. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," and T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code and establish persistent access to compromised systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web filtering solutions and user education programs to reduce the risk of exposure through social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability.