CVE-2015-1088 in MacOS X
Summary
by MITRE
CFURL in Apple iOS before 8.3 and Apple OS X before 10.10.3 does not properly validate URLs, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1088 represents a critical flaw in Apple's CFURL framework that affected iOS versions prior to 8.3 and OS X versions prior to 10.10.3. This issue stems from insufficient URL validation mechanisms within the core networking infrastructure of Apple's operating systems, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted web content. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level of the operating system's network handling capabilities, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of Uniform Resource Locators within the CFURL component, which is responsible for parsing and handling URL structures throughout Apple's ecosystem. This weakness allows attackers to construct malicious URLs that bypass normal validation checks, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-170, which deals with improper null termination, and specifically relates to URL parsing and validation issues that can result in buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting URLs with malformed or specially constructed parameters that trigger unexpected behavior in the CFURL parsing routine, ultimately enabling remote code execution on vulnerable systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1088 is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This makes it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios where simply visiting a compromised website can result in system compromise. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, and other systems running the affected versions of iOS or OS X. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate user execution, as the attack can be initiated through normal web browsing activities. Organizations and individuals running affected versions of Apple operating systems face significant risk of unauthorized access, data theft, and system compromise, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments and users handling sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1088 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Apple to address the underlying CFURL validation flaw. Users should immediately upgrade to iOS 8.3 or later versions and OS X 10.10.3 or later to eliminate the vulnerability. Network administrators should implement proactive monitoring for malicious websites and consider implementing web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Apple operating systems and ensure timely patch deployment. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to prevent potential compatibility issues. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement appropriate incident response procedures should exploitation attempts be detected.