CVE-2015-1123 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 8.3 and Apple TV before 7.2, 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-2015-04-08-3 and APPLE-SA-2015-04-08-4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1123 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's mobile operating systems and Apple TV platform. This vulnerability specifically affects Apple iOS versions prior to 8.3 and Apple TV software versions prior to 7.2, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors who can exploit the flaw through maliciously crafted web content. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's rendering engine, which processes web pages and executes JavaScript code, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by visiting a compromised website without any user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions within the affected Apple platforms. WebKit's memory management mechanisms fail to properly validate or sanitize certain data structures when processing crafted web content, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and potential code execution. The flaw operates at the intersection of multiple attack vectors including browser exploitation and privilege escalation, making it particularly dangerous for mobile platforms where users frequently browse the internet and interact with untrusted web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1123 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Mobile platforms running vulnerable versions of iOS and Apple TV software become susceptible to remote exploitation through web-based attacks, where threat actors can craft malicious websites that trigger the memory corruption flaw when rendered by WebKit. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and represents a classic example of how browser-based vulnerabilities can be leveraged to achieve persistent access to mobile devices. The remote nature of the attack means that users do not need to download or install anything beyond normal web browsing activities to become compromised, making this vulnerability particularly insidious.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1123 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Apple to address the underlying memory corruption flaw. Users should promptly install the latest iOS and Apple TV software updates, specifically iOS 8.3 and Apple TV 7.2, which contain fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level protections including web filtering solutions and security proxies that can detect and block known malicious web content. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory usage patterns and application crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and demonstrates how browser-based vulnerabilities can serve as primary attack vectors for mobile platform compromise, making regular security updates a critical component of mobile device security management.