CVE-2012-3664 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple Safari before 6.0, 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-2012-07-25-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3664 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit's JavaScript engine implementation that affected Apple Safari versions prior to 6.0. This vulnerability resides in the core rendering engine that powers Safari's web browsing capabilities and exposes a fundamental weakness in how the browser handles memory allocation and deallocation during web page processing. The flaw specifically manifests when WebKit encounters malformed or maliciously crafted web content that triggers improper memory management operations, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's JavaScriptCore engine, where attackers can manipulate the browser's memory management systems through carefully constructed web pages. When Safari processes these malicious web sites, the engine fails to properly validate memory operations, creating opportunities for buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption scenarios. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-122, which describes buffer overflow conditions in memory management, and can be categorized as a heap-based memory corruption issue that allows for arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway involves crafting web content that triggers specific memory allocation patterns, causing the browser to execute unintended code sequences or corrupt critical memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3664 is significant as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This makes it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios where users are simply browsing the web. The vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent access to vulnerable systems. Additionally, the denial of service aspect means that even if code execution is not achieved, attackers can reliably crash the Safari browser application, disrupting user productivity and potentially causing data loss. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate system tools for execution, and T1059, which addresses command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can leverage the compromised browser to execute malicious commands.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Safari versions to 6.0 or later, which includes implementing proper memory validation mechanisms and heap management routines. System administrators should also deploy web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures including sandboxing, memory protection, and strict content security policies should be implemented to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping their browsers updated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in browser engines, as similar issues have been documented in other web rendering engines and have been addressed through improved memory safety mechanisms and automated vulnerability detection tools. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to identify malicious websites that may be leveraging this vulnerability.