CVE-2015-3659 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
The SQLite authorizer in the Storage functionality in WebKit in Apple Safari before 6.2.7, 7.x before 7.1.7, and 8.x before 8.0.7, as used in Apple iOS before 8.4 and other products, does not properly restrict access to SQL functions, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-3659 represents a critical authorization flaw within the SQLite database engine integration in Apple Safari's WebKit storage functionality. This weakness exists in multiple versions of Safari across different operating systems, specifically affecting Safari 6.2.6 and earlier, Safari 7.x versions before 7.1.6, and Safari 8.x versions before 8.0.6, alongside iOS versions before 8.4. The flaw resides in how the SQLite authorizer component handles access controls for SQL functions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass intended security restrictions. This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege implementation within the browser's database access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of SQL function access permissions within the WebKit storage subsystem. When a malicious website attempts to execute SQL operations, the flawed authorizer fails to properly validate or restrict access to certain SQL functions that should be restricted to prevent unauthorized database operations. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands that could potentially lead to code execution within the browser context or cause application crashes. The vulnerability specifically targets the authorization mechanisms that should prevent web content from accessing privileged database operations, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation attacks. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in authorization controls where insufficient checks allow unauthorized access to protected resources, falling under CWE-284: Improper Access Control.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3659 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could compromise user systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through carefully crafted web pages that trigger the flawed authorization logic. The vulnerability affects not just web browsing but also represents a significant threat to user data integrity and system security, as it could potentially allow attackers to access, modify, or delete database content that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in the context of web browsers where users frequently visit untrusted websites, making it a prime target for exploitation in phishing attacks or drive-by downloads. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of Safari across different platforms, increasing the potential for successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3659 primarily focus on immediate system updates and security patches provided by Apple. Users should immediately update to the patched versions of Safari and iOS, specifically Safari 6.2.7, 7.1.7, and 8.0.7 respectively, along with iOS 8.4 or later versions. System administrators should implement network-level protections including web content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to limit exposure to malicious websites. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as exploitation involves crafting malicious JavaScript that leverages the database access controls bypass. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary database functionality for web content, implementing strict content security policies, and monitoring for anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in web applications, particularly when integrating database functionality within browser environments.