CVE-2013-0995 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iTunes before 11.0.3, allows man-in-the-middle attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via vectors related to iTunes Store browsing, a different vulnerability than other WebKit CVEs listed in APPLE-SA-2013-05-16-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0995 represents a critical security flaw within WebKit engine implementation in Apple iTunes version 11.0.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the iTunes Store browsing functionality and operates as a man-in-the-middle attack vector that could potentially allow remote code execution or system crashes. The flaw exists within the WebKit rendering engine that Apple integrated into its iTunes software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the application's handling of web content during iTunes Store interactions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management and input validation within the WebKit component when processing content from the iTunes Store. Attackers could manipulate web content or intercept network traffic to trigger memory corruption issues that would cause the iTunes application to crash or potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which deals with out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw demonstrates the classic characteristics of a buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability where improper bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory locations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users who regularly access the iTunes Store for music, video, and other digital content purchases. The man-in-the-middle attack capability means that attackers could potentially intercept and modify content being delivered to users, creating opportunities for malicious code injection or service disruption. When combined with the potential for arbitrary code execution, this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1190 suggests it could be leveraged for initial access or privilege escalation within compromised environments.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0995 primarily involve upgrading to Apple iTunes version 11.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the WebKit memory corruption issues. Organizations should implement immediate patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive the security update. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks targeting iTunes Store browsing functionality. The vulnerability's nature as a WebKit-based issue means that similar protections should be considered for other applications using the same rendering engine, particularly those that process untrusted web content. Security teams should also review their incident response procedures to prepare for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.