CVE-2013-1043 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 7, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than other WebKit CVEs listed in APPLE-SA-2013-09-18-2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1043 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple iOS web browsing functionality prior to version 7. This vulnerability resides in the core rendering engine responsible for processing web content and executing JavaScript within the iOS environment, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. The flaw specifically manifests when WebKit processes maliciously crafted web content that triggers improper memory handling during web page rendering, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the browser engine's memory management system, where improper bounds checking or memory allocation patterns create opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves sophisticated memory corruption techniques that exploit weaknesses in how WebKit handles specific web page elements and JavaScript execution contexts. Attackers can craft malicious websites containing specially designed HTML, CSS, or JavaScript code that when loaded in iOS Safari or other WebKit-based applications triggers the memory corruption condition. The flaw typically involves heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions where WebKit allocates memory for web content processing and subsequently accesses or modifies memory regions that have already been freed or improperly managed. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption exploits. The attack vector leverages the browser's rendering engine to execute malicious code within the context of the iOS application, potentially bypassing security boundaries that normally protect system resources from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1043 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full system compromise capabilities that enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable iOS devices. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows remote adversaries to gain unauthorized access to device resources, potentially leading to data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or complete system control. The vulnerability affects all iOS versions prior to 7, making it particularly dangerous as it encompasses a broad range of devices and applications that rely on WebKit for web browsing functionality. Mobile devices running affected versions become susceptible to attacks that can be delivered through standard web browsing activities, including visiting compromised websites, clicking malicious links, or even receiving web-based payloads through email or messaging applications. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the compromised browser to execute malicious code within the iOS environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1043 focus primarily on immediate system updates and security hardening measures that address the underlying memory corruption conditions. The most effective approach involves upgrading affected iOS devices to version 7 or later, which includes patched WebKit components that properly handle memory allocation and deallocation processes. Security administrators should implement network-based protections including web filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious web content patterns, though such protections may not be fully effective against zero-day exploitation attempts. Mobile device management solutions can enforce additional security policies such as disabling unnecessary web browsing capabilities or implementing sandboxing restrictions that limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual traffic patterns or attempts to access known malicious domains that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of timely security updates and the potential risks associated with outdated mobile browser engines that continue to operate with known memory corruption vulnerabilities.