CVE-2014-4452 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 8.1.1 and Apple TV before 7.0.2, 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 CVE-2014-4462.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4452 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit's JavaScript engine implementation that affected Apple's mobile operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacted iOS versions prior to 8.1.1 and Apple TV versions prior to 7.0.2, exposing millions of devices to potential remote exploitation. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes certain JavaScript constructs, creating conditions where malformed web content can trigger unpredictable memory behavior. Security researchers classified this issue as a remote code execution vulnerability due to its ability to manipulate memory layout and execution flow through carefully crafted web pages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine, particularly in how it handles object allocation and garbage collection processes. Attackers could construct malicious web pages containing specially formatted JavaScript code that would cause memory corruption when executed by the browser engine. This memory corruption manifests as buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of several cybersecurity domains, including browser security, memory safety, and exploit development techniques. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" categories, reflecting the fundamental memory safety issues that enabled the exploit.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4452 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full remote code execution capabilities that could enable attackers to take complete control of affected devices. Mobile users exposed to malicious websites could experience arbitrary code execution without any user interaction beyond visiting a compromised webpage, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability in the mobile threat landscape. The vulnerability's similarity to CVE-2014-4462 demonstrates the prevalence of memory corruption issues within WebKit's JavaScript engine, suggesting systemic problems in how the engine handles complex JavaScript operations. This flaw could be leveraged to install malware, steal user credentials, access device files, or perform other malicious activities that compromise user privacy and device integrity.
Organizations and individual users affected by this vulnerability should immediately apply the security patches released by Apple as part of iOS 8.1.1 and Apple TV 7.0.2 updates. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected devices, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile devices handle sensitive corporate data. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, implementation of web content filtering solutions, and user education about avoiding untrusted websites. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of known vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for threat actors seeking persistent access to mobile devices. Security teams should also implement network segmentation and endpoint protection measures to reduce the attack surface and prevent lateral movement if exploitation occurs.