CVE-2014-4410 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 8 and Apple TV 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-2014-09-17-1 and APPLE-SA-2014-09-17-2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4410 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit, the web browser engine that powers Apple's iOS and Apple TV operating systems. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to iOS 8 and Apple TV software version 7, making a substantial user base susceptible to exploitation. The flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious websites that can trigger arbitrary code execution or cause application crashes through memory corruption techniques. Unlike other WebKit vulnerabilities documented in the same advisory period, this particular issue demonstrates distinct characteristics that make it particularly dangerous for web-based attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation occurs through carefully constructed web content that leverages memory handling errors within the WebKit rendering engine, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Attackers can craft web pages containing malicious JavaScript or HTML elements that exploit buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption patterns. When a user visits such a malicious website, the WebKit engine processes the content in a manner that leads to memory corruption, which can then be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions where applications may crash or become unresponsive. This type of memory corruption vulnerability typically aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4410 is significant given the widespread deployment of affected Apple devices in enterprise and consumer environments. Mobile devices running vulnerable versions of iOS and Apple TV software represent valuable attack vectors for threat actors seeking to compromise user data or establish persistent access to target networks. The remote nature of the exploitation means that users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently encounter compromised content. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and set-top box operating systems creates additional attack surface complexity, as it affects not only smartphones and tablets but also entertainment devices that may be connected to corporate networks. Organizations with BYOD policies or those managing Apple TV deployments face heightened risk due to the potential for privilege escalation and persistent backdoor establishment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to the latest available versions of iOS and Apple TV software where the flaw has been patched. Apple's security advisory recommended that all affected users upgrade their systems to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling compromised devices. Security teams should consider implementing web content filtering solutions that can block access to known malicious domains and employ network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly susceptible to exploitation through drive-by download attacks, where users are compromised simply by visiting malicious websites. Given the nature of the flaw and its alignment with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, organizations should implement comprehensive endpoint detection and response solutions to identify and mitigate potential exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in other web browser components or operating system libraries.