CVE-2015-1115 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Telephony component in Apple iOS before 8.3 allows attackers to bypass a sandbox protection mechanism and access unintended telephone capabilities via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1115 represents a critical sandbox bypass flaw within Apple iOS versions prior to 8.3, specifically affecting the Telephony component. This security weakness fundamentally undermines the operating system's application isolation mechanisms that are designed to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system functions. The vulnerability exists in the way iOS handles telephony-related permissions and access controls, creating a pathway for malicious applications to circumvent the standard security boundaries that typically protect users from unauthorized telephone functionality access.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a failure in the sandbox protection mechanisms that should prevent applications from accessing telephony APIs without proper authorization. Attackers can craft malicious applications that exploit this weakness to gain unintended access to telephone capabilities including but not limited to making calls, accessing contact information, and potentially intercepting telephony data. This vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within iOS's security architecture, where the boundary checking mechanisms fail to properly validate application requests for telephony resources. The flaw essentially allows an application to escalate its privileges and access system resources that should be restricted to system-level processes or applications with explicit telephony permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1115 extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential data exfiltration and unauthorized communication capabilities. Malicious actors could leverage this vulnerability to create spyware that monitors phone calls, accesses personal contact lists, and potentially redirects communications without user knowledge or consent. The implications for user privacy and security are significant, as this vulnerability could enable sophisticated attacks that bypass multiple layers of iOS security controls. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only a malicious application to be installed, making it accessible to threat actors who can distribute such applications through various channels including third-party app stores or social engineering campaigns.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses related to insufficient sandboxing and improper access control mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates how inadequate privilege separation can lead to complete system compromise, representing a classic example of how sandbox bypass vulnerabilities can be exploited to gain elevated system access. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 adversary tactic related to exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability face increased risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where mobile device security is critical. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of timely security updates and patch management processes, as the issue was resolved through the iOS 8.3 update that properly implemented the necessary sandbox protections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1115 require immediate implementation of the official iOS 8.3 security update from Apple, which addresses the underlying sandbox bypass mechanism. System administrators should ensure all iOS devices within their environment are promptly updated to the latest version, as older versions remain vulnerable to exploitation. Users should be educated about the risks of installing applications from untrusted sources and the importance of maintaining current operating system versions. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual telephony-related activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive mobile device management policies that include automatic update deployment and application vetting processes to prevent installation of malicious applications that could exploit similar sandbox bypass vulnerabilities.