CVE-2012-0622 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-2012-0622 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's iOS and iTunes applications. This vulnerability specifically affects WebKit implementations in Apple iOS versions prior to 5.1 and iTunes versions prior to 10.6, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors. The flaw manifests when users encounter maliciously crafted web content that triggers unexpected memory behavior within the WebKit rendering engine, potentially leading to system compromise or service disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves improper memory management during web page rendering processes, where WebKit fails to adequately validate or sanitize user-supplied data structures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded through affected iOS devices or iTunes applications, causes memory corruption through buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-122, which describes buffer overflow conditions in heap memory management, and CWE-476, addressing null pointer dereferences that can occur during memory allocation failures.
This vulnerability presents substantial operational risks to affected systems, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain full control over compromised devices. The potential for denial of service attacks through application crashes represents an additional threat vector that could disrupt legitimate user activities. Mobile devices running affected iOS versions become particularly vulnerable due to their limited security boundaries and the trust users place in web content. The impact extends beyond individual devices to potentially compromise enterprise environments where mobile device management policies may be insufficient to prevent exploitation.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches, which typically involve WebKit engine updates that correct memory handling routines and implement additional input validation mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure all affected iOS devices and iTunes installations receive updates promptly. Network administrators may consider implementing web content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains until patches are deployed. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of web applications, highlights the importance of maintaining current security measures and user awareness training to prevent successful exploitation attempts.