CVE-2015-1126 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 8.3 and Apple Safari before 6.2.5, 7.x before 7.1.5, and 8.x before 8.0.5, does not properly handle the userinfo field in FTP URLs, which allows remote attackers to trigger incorrect resource access via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1126 resides within WebKit's handling of File Transfer Protocol (FTP) URLs, specifically in how the component processes the userinfo field. This flaw affects Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems, including iOS versions prior to 8.3 and Safari versions before 6.2.5, 7.1.5, and 8.0.5. The issue manifests when WebKit encounters FTP URLs containing userinfo components, which typically include username and password information within the URL structure. The improper handling of these credentials creates a potential security risk that could be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate resource access patterns.
This vulnerability represents a classic case of improper input validation and URL parsing, falling under the broader category of information exposure through improper handling of user credentials in network protocols. The technical flaw occurs because WebKit fails to properly sanitize or validate the userinfo field within FTP URLs, potentially allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that could lead to unauthorized access to resources or information disclosure. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack surfaces may be affected, including but not limited to resource redirection, authentication bypass, or privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it could enable attackers to manipulate how FTP resources are accessed and processed within the browser environment. When users navigate to specially crafted FTP URLs, the browser's handling of the userinfo field could result in unexpected behavior that compromises the security boundaries of the application. This type of vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on FTP protocols for content delivery or authentication mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems or data that should remain protected. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of Apple's software indicates a widespread exposure that could affect a significant user base.
The root cause of this issue aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and relates to the broader category of information exposure vulnerabilities. Attackers could leverage this flaw to construct malicious FTP URLs that manipulate how the browser processes credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized resource access or information disclosure. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor parsing issues in web components can create significant security implications, especially when dealing with authentication mechanisms embedded within URL structures. Effective mitigations include applying the latest security patches from Apple, implementing network-level controls to restrict FTP access, and conducting thorough security assessments of web applications that may be exposed to such vulnerabilities.