CVE-2015-1089 in MacOS X
Summary
by MITRE
CFNetwork in Apple iOS before 8.3 and Apple OS X before 10.10.3 does not properly handle cookies during processing of redirects in HTTP responses, which allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1089 represents a critical security flaw in Apple's CFNetwork framework that affects iOS versions prior to 8.3 and OS X versions prior to 10.10.3. This issue resides in the manner in which the networking stack processes cookies during HTTP redirect operations, creating a significant bypass mechanism for the fundamental Same Origin Policy that governs web security. The vulnerability manifests when a web application or malicious site constructs HTTP redirects that manipulate cookie handling in ways that circumvent normal browser security restrictions. The technical implementation flaw occurs within the CFNetwork layer's cookie management system where it fails to properly validate or sanitize cookie data during redirect processing, allowing attackers to inject or modify cookies that would normally be restricted by cross-origin policies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cookie manipulation to create a comprehensive bypass of web security boundaries that protects users from malicious cross-site attacks. When a user navigates to a malicious website that constructs carefully crafted HTTP redirects, the vulnerable CFNetwork implementation allows cookies to be transferred between different origins without proper validation, effectively enabling attackers to establish unauthorized cross-origin communication channels. This weakness creates opportunities for session hijacking, cross-site request forgery attacks, and other malicious activities that exploit the trust relationships between different web origins. The vulnerability operates at a foundational level within Apple's networking stack, making it particularly dangerous as it affects all applications and services that rely on CFNetwork for HTTP communication, including Safari, email clients, and various third-party applications that utilize Apple's networking frameworks.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-284, which deals with improper access control mechanisms, specifically within the context of cookie handling and cross-origin resource sharing. The attack vector aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1189 technique for "Drive-by Compromise" and T1071.001 for "Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols". The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised web environments. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation details in core networking components can create significant security implications, as cookie handling during redirects represents a common pattern in web applications that attackers can leverage for unauthorized access. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability face increased risk of credential theft, unauthorized data access, and potential compromise of sensitive information stored in web applications that rely on proper Same Origin Policy enforcement.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1089 focus primarily on immediate system updates to the affected Apple operating systems, as the vulnerability requires core framework modifications that cannot be addressed through patching or configuration changes alone. Apple released security updates for iOS 8.3 and OS X 10.10.3 that corrected the cookie handling behavior during HTTP redirects, restoring proper Same Origin Policy enforcement. Security administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of web traffic for suspicious redirect patterns and cookie manipulation attempts, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Network security solutions should be configured to detect and block suspicious HTTP redirect chains that attempt to manipulate cookie data between different origins, though this detection capability may be limited by the sophisticated nature of the attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper cookie management in web security implementations and the need for continuous security testing of core operating system components that handle network communications and user data processing.