CVE-2012-3746 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
UIWebView in UIKit in Apple iOS before 6 does not properly use the Data protection feature, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain cleartext file content by leveraging direct access to a device s filesystem.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3746 represents a critical security flaw in Apple iOS versions prior to 6.0, specifically within the UIWebView component of the UIKit framework. This issue stems from improper implementation of the Data Protection feature that is designed to safeguard user data on mobile devices. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-310 category, which encompasses cryptographic weaknesses and improper data protection mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers with physical access to a device to bypass the intended security measures and access sensitive cleartext data that should have been protected through the operating system's data protection capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when UIWebView components fail to properly enforce data protection policies during file operations. In iOS systems, data protection is supposed to encrypt files using device-specific keys that are only accessible when the device is unlocked. However, UIWebView in affected iOS versions did not consistently enforce these protection mechanisms, creating a scenario where files stored on the device's filesystem could be accessed in cleartext without proper authentication. This occurs because the web view component does not properly check the data protection status of files before attempting to read or process them, effectively bypassing the expected security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically impacts how the system handles file access requests through web-based interfaces, allowing attackers to exploit direct filesystem access to retrieve protected information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that iOS establishes for user data protection. Attackers with physical access to a device can leverage this flaw to access sensitive information including personal documents, application data, and potentially authentication tokens or credentials that were stored in cleartext. The vulnerability operates in a context-dependent manner, requiring physical access to the device but not necessarily device unlock, as the protection mechanisms fail at the filesystem level rather than at the application level. This creates a significant risk for users who store sensitive information on their devices and whose devices might be compromised through theft or unauthorized physical access. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers data hijacking through direct access to files, and represents a failure in the system's defense-in-depth approach to data protection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3746 primarily involve upgrading to iOS version 6.0 or later, where Apple implemented proper data protection enforcement within UIWebView components. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as full device encryption, strong authentication mechanisms, and regular security assessments to prevent unauthorized physical access to devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of consistent security implementation across all system components, particularly those that interface with the filesystem, and demonstrates the critical need for proper data protection enforcement in mobile operating systems. Security professionals should ensure that applications leveraging UIWebView components properly validate file access permissions and implement additional protection layers when handling sensitive data. The incident underscores the necessity of following security best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53 for mobile device security and demonstrates how seemingly isolated component vulnerabilities can compromise entire system security models.