CVE-2012-3748 in WebKitGTK+
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in WebKit in Apple iOS before 6.0.1 and Safari before 6.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via vectors involving JavaScript arrays.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3748 represents a critical race condition flaw within the WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple iOS and Safari browsers. This issue affects versions prior to iOS 6.0.1 and Safari 6.0.2, creating a significant security gap that adversaries could exploit to gain unauthorized code execution privileges or deliberately crash applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when handling JavaScript arrays, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where malicious code can be delivered through compromised websites or phishing attempts.
The technical nature of this race condition stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within WebKit's JavaScript array handling routines. When multiple threads or processes attempt to access and modify array objects simultaneously, the lack of proper locking mechanisms creates opportunities for unpredictable behavior. This flaw falls under the CWE-362 category of concurrent execution using shared resource vulnerabilities, where the race condition allows attackers to manipulate memory states during array operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to severe security risks including remote code execution capabilities that could enable attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or take complete control of affected devices. The denial of service aspect further compounds the threat by allowing attackers to crash applications and potentially disrupt normal device functionality. The attack surface is broad as it affects all users of the vulnerable iOS versions, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where mobile devices are extensively used for business operations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1499.004 for application or system compromise through denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3748 primarily focus on immediate system updates to the patched versions of iOS and Safari. Apple released iOS 6.0.1 and Safari 6.0.2 specifically to address this vulnerability, making patch management the most critical defensive measure. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management solutions to ensure all devices receive security updates promptly. Additional protective measures include network-based filtering to block suspicious web content, browser security hardening configurations, and user education about avoiding untrusted websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper concurrency control in web browser implementations and highlights the need for thorough testing of multi-threaded operations in rendering engines. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.