CVE-2014-1267 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Configuration Profiles component in Apple iOS before 7.1 and Apple TV before 6.1 does not properly evaluate the expiration date of a mobile configuration profile, which allows attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by using a profile after the date has passed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1267 resides within Apple's Configuration Profiles component, a critical system element responsible for managing device configuration and access controls in iOS and Apple TV operating systems. This flaw represents a significant security oversight that affects versions prior to iOS 7.1 and Apple TV 6.1, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit improper validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the expiration date evaluation process, which should normally enforce time-based access restrictions but fails to properly validate these temporal parameters.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of mobile configuration profile expiration dates, where the system does not adequately verify whether a profile has exceeded its designated validity period. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate or bypass time-based access controls by simply using a configuration profile after its intended expiration date has passed. The vulnerability operates at the system-level configuration management layer, where profile validation logic fails to enforce proper temporal constraints that should prevent continued use of expired profiles. This represents a classic case of inadequate input validation and time-based access control enforcement.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1267 extends beyond simple access bypass, as it enables attackers to maintain unauthorized access to systems and potentially escalate privileges through the continued use of expired configuration profiles. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to maintain persistent access to devices, bypass time-based security restrictions, and potentially gain unauthorized administrative privileges. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of time-based access controls, which are essential for maintaining device security and preventing unauthorized access to corporate or personal resources. This flaw particularly affects enterprise environments where configuration profiles are used to manage device access and security policies, creating a potential pathway for insider threats or external attacks.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-605, which addresses "Multiple Binds to the Same Port," and the broader category of access control vulnerabilities in mobile device management systems. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1547.001, which covers "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder," as attackers could potentially use expired profiles to maintain persistence. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper time-based validation in mobile device management systems and aligns with the NIST SP 800-53 control CM-7, which addresses configuration management and access control enforcement. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to affected versions, monitoring for unauthorized profile usage, and implementing additional access controls to compensate for the vulnerable time-based validation mechanism.
The remediation approach requires deployment of iOS 7.1 and Apple TV 6.1 updates, which contain the necessary fixes for proper expiration date validation. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized profile usage patterns and establish policies for regular profile rotation and validation. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper time-based access control validation in mobile device management systems and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing of configuration management components. Organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their mobile device management practices and ensure that time-based access controls are properly enforced across all managed devices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising security posture.