CVE-2012-3731 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Mail in Apple iOS before 6 does not properly implement the Data Protection feature for e-mail attachments, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass an intended passcode requirement via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3731 represents a critical weakness in Apple iOS devices prior to version 6, specifically affecting the implementation of data protection mechanisms for email attachments. This flaw resides in the operating system's handling of encrypted data storage and access controls, creating a significant security gap that adversaries can exploit through physical proximity to target devices. The issue directly impacts the integrity of iOS's security model by failing to properly enforce passcode requirements for sensitive email attachments stored on device storage.
The technical implementation flaw involves the improper handling of data protection attributes within the iOS mail application's attachment processing pipeline. When email attachments are stored on iOS devices, the system should enforce strict access controls that require user authentication before allowing access to protected data. However, this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass these intended protections through unspecified vectors that exploit weaknesses in how the system manages encrypted file access. The flaw likely stems from insufficient validation of access requests or improper enforcement of key derivation functions that should secure attachment data. This issue aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and represents a failure in the system's mandatory access control implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized data access, as it enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from email attachments without proper authentication. Physically proximate attackers can exploit this weakness to access encrypted email content that should require passcode entry for access, creating opportunities for data exfiltration, corporate espionage, or personal information theft. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it does not require network connectivity or complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical skills. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security premise of iOS devices that rely on passcode protection for device encryption, effectively creating a backdoor for unauthorized access to sensitive email data. The impact is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1213, which involves data from information repositories, as attackers can access protected email content through compromised access controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to iOS version 6 or later, which contain the necessary patches to properly implement data protection features for email attachments. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as enabling automatic device locking, configuring strong passcode policies, and monitoring for unauthorized device access. Security administrators should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify devices running vulnerable iOS versions and ensure all endpoints are updated. The fix addresses the underlying implementation flaw by properly enforcing data protection attributes during attachment processing and ensuring that access controls are consistently applied regardless of the data access method. Regular security audits should verify that data protection features are functioning correctly and that no similar vulnerabilities exist in other application components that handle encrypted data.