CVE-2012-0623 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 • 03/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0623 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit, the rendering engine that powers Apple's Safari browser and various other applications. This vulnerability specifically affected Apple iOS versions prior to 5.1 and iTunes versions before 10.6, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries could exploit to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes certain web content, particularly when handling crafted websites that contain maliciously constructed data structures or memory allocations that trigger undefined behavior within the browser engine.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves improper memory management and handling of web content that leads to memory corruption conditions. Attackers could construct malicious websites containing specially crafted HTML, JavaScript, or multimedia content that, when rendered by the vulnerable WebKit engine, would cause memory corruption issues. These memory corruption vulnerabilities typically manifest as buffer overflows, use-after-free errors, or other memory handling flaws that allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations or manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that are common in web browser engines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to enable full remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for users who browse the internet regularly. When exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to personal information. The memory corruption issues could also result in denial of service conditions where applications would crash repeatedly, rendering devices unusable until the affected applications are restarted or the system is rebooted. This vulnerability was particularly concerning because it affected widely used applications including Safari browser, iTunes, and the iOS operating system itself, providing multiple attack vectors for malicious actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0623 primarily focus on immediate patching and system updates to address the underlying memory corruption flaws in WebKit. Apple released security updates in iOS 5.1 and iTunes 10.6 that corrected the memory handling issues and implemented additional safeguards against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected systems to the latest versions, as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised web services. Network administrators should also consider implementing web filtering solutions and browser security restrictions to limit exposure while updates are being deployed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in browser engines and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate credentials and privilege escalation through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing sandboxing measures, and maintaining comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.