CVE-2012-0626 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-2012-0626 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit, the web browser engine that powers Apple iOS and iTunes applications. This vulnerability affects versions of Apple iOS prior to 5.1 and iTunes prior to 10.6, creating a significant security risk for users who have not updated their systems. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit web content and execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability operates through crafted web sites that trigger memory corruption errors in the WebKit rendering engine, making it particularly dangerous as users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's handling of web content, specifically involving buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that occur when processing specially crafted HTML elements or JavaScript code. These memory corruption issues typically arise from insufficient input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the browser engine. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-119, which deals with Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to code injection and privilege escalation through browser exploitation. The flaw demonstrates how memory safety issues in web rendering engines can provide attackers with direct pathways to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0626 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it creates opportunities for complete system compromise through remote code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected devices without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Apple products including iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches running iOS versions prior to 5.1, as well as desktop computers using iTunes versions before 10.6. This broad impact makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Apple devices are commonly used for business operations and contain sensitive corporate data.
Organizations and individual users should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to Apple iOS 5.1 or later and iTunes 10.6 or later, as these versions contain patches that address the memory corruption issues in WebKit. Network administrators should implement web content filtering and monitoring systems to detect and block access to known malicious websites that may exploit this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include disabling JavaScript in web browsers when not required, using sandboxing technologies, and maintaining regular security updates for all software components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping web browser engines updated, as WebKit-based vulnerabilities can provide attackers with powerful exploitation vectors that bypass traditional security controls. Security professionals should monitor for related vulnerabilities in the same WebKit codebase and ensure that their incident response procedures include specific protocols for handling browser-based exploits.