CVE-2013-1010 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 • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1010 represents a critical security flaw within Apple iTunes software that existed prior to version 11.0.3. This issue resides within the WebKit rendering engine component that Apple integrated into iTunes for handling web content during iTunes Store browsing operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the WebKit implementation, creating exploitable conditions that adversaries could leverage for malicious purposes. The flaw specifically manifests during the processing of web content retrieved from iTunes Store, making it distinct from other WebKit vulnerabilities referenced in APPLE-SA-2013-05-16-1, which suggests the vulnerability operates through different attack vectors or code paths within the same software ecosystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves man-in-the-middle attack scenarios where malicious actors intercept network traffic between iTunes and Apple's iTunes Store servers. When users browse the iTunes Store within the iTunes application, the WebKit engine processes web content that includes JavaScript, HTML, and other web technologies. The flaw occurs in the memory handling mechanisms of this engine, where improperly validated input data can trigger memory corruption conditions. This memory corruption can manifest as heap corruption, stack overflow, or other memory management errors that result in unpredictable application behavior. Attackers can craft malicious web content or manipulate network traffic to cause the iTunes application to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running process, or alternatively force the application to crash through controlled memory corruption that leads to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1010 extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates a pathway for sophisticated attacks that can compromise user systems. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute code remotely on affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise depending on the execution context and privileges available. The memory corruption issues can result in both arbitrary code execution and denial of service scenarios, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors. Users who regularly browse the iTunes Store or access web content through iTunes become potential targets, as the vulnerability can be triggered simply by viewing compromised web content within the application environment. The impact is further amplified because iTunes runs with elevated privileges on many systems, potentially allowing attackers to gain deeper system access than would be possible with standard user-level applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1010 primarily focus on immediate software updates and network security measures. Apple addressed this vulnerability through the release of iTunes 11.0.3, which included patches to the WebKit engine's memory management and input validation routines. Users should immediately update to the patched version to eliminate exposure to this vulnerability. Network administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks targeting iTunes applications, particularly when users access iTunes Store content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common manifestations of memory corruption vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution through application vulnerabilities, specifically T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and traffic inspection to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks that could exploit this vulnerability, while maintaining awareness of similar WebKit vulnerabilities that may exist in other Apple applications or platforms.