CVE-2012-3650 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple Safari before 6.0 accesses uninitialized memory locations during the rendering of SVG images, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3650 represents a critical memory safety issue within Apple Safari's WebKit rendering engine that affected versions prior to 6.0. This flaw specifically manifests during the processing of Scalable Vector Graphics images, which are widely used for displaying complex graphical content on web pages. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where the browser fails to initialize certain memory locations before accessing them during SVG rendering operations. This uninitialized memory access creates a potential information disclosure channel that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which describes the use of uninitialized variables in software systems. In the context of WebKit's SVG processing, the uninitialized memory locations contain data remnants from previous operations or system processes that should not be exposed to web content. When Safari encounters a crafted SVG image, the rendering engine attempts to access these uninitialized memory regions without proper initialization, potentially exposing sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, passwords, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure flaws that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or data theft.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3650 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to harvest sensitive process memory contents through carefully crafted web content. Attackers could construct malicious websites containing specially formatted SVG elements that trigger the uninitialized memory access pattern, allowing them to extract information that would normally be protected by memory isolation mechanisms. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because SVG images are commonly used across legitimate web applications, making it difficult for users to distinguish between benign and malicious content. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based delivery, requiring no local exploitation or user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website, which makes it highly effective for large-scale attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3650 primarily involve updating to Apple Safari 6.0 or later versions where the memory initialization issues have been addressed. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected browsers are updated promptly. Additionally, network security measures such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block suspicious SVG content, though these should be considered supplementary protections rather than primary defenses. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory initialization practices in browser engines and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for executing malicious code through web browsers. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening configurations and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of web content and browser configurations remain essential for maintaining defense in depth against similar vulnerabilities.