CVE-2015-1124 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 8.3, Apple TV before 7.2, and Apple Safari before 6.2.5, 7.x before 7.1.5, and 8.x before 8.0.5, 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-2015-04-08-1, 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
This vulnerability resides within the WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple's Safari browser and iOS web applications, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that enabled remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of WebKit prior to the security patches released in iOS 8.3, Apple TV 7.2, and Safari versions 6.2.5, 7.1.5, and 8.0.5, making it a widespread issue across multiple Apple platforms and browser versions. The flaw manifests when users visit maliciously crafted websites that exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities in the WebKit engine's handling of web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine, particularly in how it processes certain web page elements and objects. Attackers can craft specific web pages that trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption patterns that allow them to overwrite critical memory locations. This memory corruption enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised browser process, effectively giving them full control over the affected system. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple attack vectors including heap spraying techniques, memory layout manipulation, and browser sandbox bypass methods.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to user security as it allows remote attackers to compromise devices without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The impact extends beyond simple exploitation to include potential data theft, persistent backdoor installation, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common patterns in memory corruption exploits. The attack surface is particularly concerning given WebKit's widespread use across Apple's ecosystem, affecting millions of users who may inadvertently encounter malicious content.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows a multi-stage attack pattern that begins with a phishing campaign or compromised website delivery, followed by the execution of malicious JavaScript code that leverages the memory corruption flaw. Attackers often employ advanced techniques such as return-oriented programming or just-in-time compilation attacks to bypass modern security mitigations like address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Apple products also means that defenders must implement comprehensive patch management strategies across all affected platforms, as the attack vectors are consistent across iOS, Apple TV, and Safari implementations. Organizations should consider implementing network-based detection measures and browser hardening configurations while ensuring timely deployment of vendor security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.