CVE-2014-4472 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-2014-4472 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability within WebKit's JavaScript engine that affected Apple Safari browsers across multiple versions. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation during JavaScript execution, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious web pages that could trigger heap corruption. The flaw specifically manifests when the browser processes certain JavaScript constructs that lead to undefined behavior in memory management, allowing remote attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the CWE-125 weakness category, which encompasses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it operates at the intersection of JavaScript interpretation and memory management, where attackers can exploit the interaction between high-level scripting constructs and low-level memory operations. The vulnerability does not rely on traditional buffer overflow techniques but instead leverages subtle memory management flaws that can be triggered through carefully crafted JavaScript code sequences.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote code execution attacks that can compromise user systems without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The memory corruption can manifest as either arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who may want to establish persistent access or simply disrupt user sessions. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Safari versions, including major releases that were widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments, amplifying the potential attack surface significantly.
The attack vector for CVE-2014-4472 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain system access through remote code execution. Attackers typically craft malicious web pages that contain specially constructed JavaScript code designed to trigger the memory corruption when executed by the vulnerable WebKit engine. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple exploitation as it can also be used for privilege escalation attacks when combined with other vulnerabilities or when users have elevated privileges on the affected systems. This makes it particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may have administrative rights or access to sensitive corporate resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate browser updates to the patched versions released by Apple, specifically Safari 6.2.1, 7.1.1, and 8.0.1 respectively. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited through drive-by download scenarios where simply visiting a compromised website can result in system compromise. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, though they cannot prevent exploitation of this specific vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that may have been compromised before patching, as the memory corruption could potentially be used to establish persistent backdoors or exfiltrate data from affected systems.