CVE-2015-1113 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Sandbox Profiles component in Apple iOS before 8.3 allows attackers to read the (1) telephone number or (2) e-mail address of a recent contact via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1113 resides within Apple iOS Sandbox Profiles component, specifically affecting versions prior to 8.3. This security flaw represents a significant privacy breach that exploits the sandboxing mechanisms designed to protect user data. The issue manifests when malicious applications attempt to access sensitive contact information through improper privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets fundamental user data elements that are typically protected by iOS security models. Attackers can craft specialized applications that bypass normal sandbox restrictions to access telephone numbers and email addresses of recent contacts, effectively undermining the core privacy protections that iOS provides to its users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation within the sandbox profile enforcement mechanisms. When applications attempt to access contact information, the system should properly enforce security boundaries that prevent unauthorized data access. However, the flaw allows attackers to manipulate the sandbox profile behavior to gain access to specific contact data elements. This represents a weakness in the iOS security model's ability to properly enforce data access controls, particularly when dealing with recently contacted individuals. The vulnerability specifically targets the contact database access APIs and leverages a design flaw in how the system validates application permissions for contact information retrieval. This weakness falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, where an application fails to properly enforce access restrictions on sensitive data.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1113 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass broader privacy violations and potential identity exploitation. Attackers can systematically harvest contact information from victims' devices, creating comprehensive contact lists that could be used for social engineering attacks, phishing campaigns, or identity theft operations. The ability to access telephone numbers and email addresses of recent contacts provides attackers with valuable information for crafting targeted attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the iOS security model's integrity and user trust, as it demonstrates that even applications that appear legitimate can exploit system weaknesses to access sensitive personal data. The threat landscape is further complicated by the fact that such attacks can be conducted through seemingly benign applications, making detection and prevention particularly challenging for end users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1113 primarily focus on updating to iOS version 8.3 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the sandbox profile enforcement issues. Users should also exercise extreme caution when installing applications from untrusted sources, as the vulnerability requires a malicious application to be installed on the device. Security professionals should monitor for applications that request unnecessary permissions for contact access and implement strict application whitelisting policies where possible. The remediation process involves not only updating the operating system but also reviewing application permissions and implementing additional security controls. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to ensure that their iOS devices are properly updated and that users are educated about the risks of installing untrusted applications. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates how sandboxing mechanisms can be bypassed when proper access controls are not properly enforced, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which addresses privilege escalation through application sandbox bypasses.