CVE-2014-1327 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple Safari before 6.1.4 and 7.x before 7.0.4, 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-2014-05-21-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2019
This vulnerability resides within the WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple Safari browsers across multiple versions including Safari 6.1.3 and earlier, as well as Safari 7.x versions prior to 7.0.4. The flaw represents a critical memory corruption issue that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted web content, making it particularly dangerous for users who browse the internet regularly. The vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption flaws that can lead to arbitrary code execution, a common attack vector that has been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature and categorized under CWE-119 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The specific nature of this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation during web page rendering processes, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures in ways that can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user visits a malicious website that contains specially crafted HTML or JavaScript code designed to trigger the memory corruption flaw within WebKit's rendering engine. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability typically manifests through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that occur during the parsing and rendering of web content. These types of vulnerabilities are particularly challenging to detect and exploit because they often require precise conditions to be met, making them valuable targets for advanced persistent threat actors who can spend considerable time developing reliable exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1327 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full system compromise and potential data exfiltration capabilities. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to user systems, potentially enabling them to install malware, steal sensitive information, or use compromised systems as launch points for further attacks within a network. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 which involves exploit for privilege escalation, as the initial exploitation often leads to elevated privileges. Organizations running affected Safari versions face significant risk exposure, particularly in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit malicious websites or be targeted through spear-phishing campaigns that leverage this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected Safari versions to the recommended secure releases, specifically Safari 6.1.4 and 7.0.4 or later. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability's exploitability makes it a high-priority target for malicious actors. Additional protective measures include implementing web filtering solutions, enabling sandboxing features where available, and conducting regular security assessments of browser configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and highlights the critical role of vendor security advisories in protecting against known exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability and other similar memory corruption flaws in web browsers.