CVE-2014-4471 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple Safari before 6.2.1, 7.x before 7.1.1, and 8.x before 8.0.1, 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-2014-12-2-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2022
CVE-2014-4471 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability within WebKit's JavaScript engine that affected Apple Safari browsers across multiple versions. This vulnerability resides in the rendering engine's handling of JavaScript objects and memory management, specifically in how it processes certain JavaScript constructs that lead to improper memory allocation and deallocation patterns. The flaw manifests when the browser encounters maliciously crafted web content that triggers a buffer overflow or use-after-free condition within the JavaScript interpreter, allowing attackers to manipulate memory contents in ways that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper bounds checking and memory management within WebKit's JavaScriptCore engine, which is responsible for executing JavaScript code in Safari. When processing certain JavaScript objects with complex inheritance chains or circular references, the engine fails to properly validate memory boundaries during object allocation and deallocation. This creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious JavaScript code that can overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes in buffer operations, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who browse the internet without keeping their browsers updated, as it can be exploited through drive-by downloads from compromised websites or malicious advertisements. The attack surface is particularly broad since the vulnerability can be triggered simply by visiting a malicious website, requiring no user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potential enterprise security breaches, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to corporate networks through compromised employee browsers. Security researchers have documented instances where this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild, with threat actors using it to deliver malware payloads or establish command and control channels.
The exploitation of CVE-2014-4471 typically follows the standard attack patterns outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to techniques such as T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to address this vulnerability, as Apple released security updates for Safari 6.2.1, 7.1.1, and 8.0.1 that resolve the memory corruption issues. Additional mitigations include implementing content security policies, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping browser software updated, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor memory management flaws can result in severe security consequences. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening techniques and monitoring for suspicious JavaScript behavior to detect potential exploitation attempts.