CVE-2012-0672 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple iOS before 5.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0672 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit, the web rendering engine that powers Safari and other web-based applications on Apple iOS devices. This vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 5.1.1 and exposes users to significant security risks through web-based attack vectors. The flaw manifests when users visit maliciously crafted websites that exploit weaknesses in WebKit's memory management and code execution handling mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Attackers can craft specific web pages that trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption patterns that allow arbitrary code execution within the context of the Safari browser process. These memory corruption issues occur during normal web page rendering operations when WebKit processes maliciously constructed HTML, JavaScript, or CSS elements that manipulate memory addresses beyond their intended boundaries. The vulnerability falls under CWE-119 which specifically addresses weaknesses in memory safety, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to complete system compromise when successful.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0672 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full system compromise capabilities. When exploited, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected iOS devices, potentially enabling them to install malicious applications, access sensitive user data, monitor network traffic, or even take complete control of the device. The attack surface is particularly broad as it only requires users to visit a compromised website, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals who can leverage social engineering techniques to direct victims to malicious sites. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate system updates to iOS 5.1.1 or later versions where Apple has implemented comprehensive fixes for the memory corruption issues. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web content filtering and sandboxing measures to reduce exposure while awaiting patches. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to detect exploitation attempts. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the underlying memory handling issues through improved bounds checking, enhanced memory allocation routines, and strengthened JavaScript engine protections that prevent the specific memory corruption patterns exploited by attackers.