CVE-2014-1368 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 7.1.2, Apple Safari before 6.1.5 and 7.x before 7.0.5, and Apple TV before 6.1.2, 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-2014-06-30-1, APPLE-SA-2014-06-30-3, and APPLE-SA-2014-06-30-4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2022
This vulnerability resides within the WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple's web browsers and iOS devices, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution. The issue affects multiple Apple products including iOS versions prior to 7.1.2, Safari versions before 6.1.5 and 7.x before 7.0.5, and Apple TV before 6.1.2, demonstrating the widespread impact of this particular vulnerability across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw manifests when users visit malicious websites that are specifically crafted to exploit the memory corruption issue, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems or cause application crashes that result in denial of service conditions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's JavaScript engine, where attackers can manipulate memory addresses through carefully constructed web content to overwrite critical system memory locations. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, or CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common entry points for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated exploitation technique that leverages browser-based memory corruption to gain unauthorized access to system resources, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no local privileges to exploit.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to end users who may inadvertently visit compromised websites, as the attack vector is entirely web-based and does not require any special user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially full system compromise, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected browser process. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through web-based interfaces, and represents a prime example of how browser-based exploits can be leveraged for broader network compromise. Organizations and individuals face substantial risk when using affected versions, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious advertisements, compromised websites, and phishing campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Apple products, with users upgrading to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement proactive monitoring to identify any attempts to access known malicious domains and deploy web filtering solutions to block access to potentially compromised sites. Additional protective measures include enabling sandboxing features, maintaining up-to-date antivirus solutions, and implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of timely security updates and demonstrates how browser-based exploits can serve as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attacks, making comprehensive security hygiene essential for protecting against similar threats.