CVE-2015-3728 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The WiFi Connectivity feature in Apple iOS before 8.4 allows remote Wi-Fi access points to trigger an automatic association, with an arbitrary security type, by operating with a recognized ESSID within an 802.11 network s coverage area.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3728 represents a significant security flaw in Apple iOS versions prior to 8.4 that affects the WiFi connectivity feature. This issue stems from how iOS handles wireless network associations when multiple access points are present within the same coverage area, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned within the network's physical boundaries. The flaw specifically relates to the automatic association mechanism that iOS employs when detecting known networks, which can be manipulated through carefully crafted wireless signals.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of 802.11 network protocols where an attacker can position a rogue access point that broadcasts a recognized ESSID within the coverage area of legitimate networks. When iOS devices detect this familiar network identifier, the system automatically attempts to establish a connection with the rogue access point without proper authentication or security validation. This behavior violates fundamental security principles by allowing arbitrary security types to be accepted during the association process, effectively bypassing the normal security checks that should prevent connections to untrusted networks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a sophisticated attack scenario where remote adversaries can exploit the automatic association feature to gain unauthorized access to iOS devices within range of the malicious network. The impact extends beyond simple network access as the automatic association can potentially lead to man-in-the-middle attacks, data interception, and further exploitation opportunities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to force iOS devices into connecting to malicious networks that appear legitimate, potentially enabling them to monitor traffic, inject malicious content, or establish persistent access points within the target environment. This represents a critical failure in the device's network security posture and demonstrates a significant weakness in Apple's wireless security implementation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and falls under ATT&CK technique T1046 Network Service Scanning, where adversaries establish network presence to facilitate further exploitation. The flaw represents a failure in proper network authentication and authorization mechanisms, as the system does not adequately validate the security type of networks during automatic association processes. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to iOS 8.4 or later versions, disabling automatic network association features, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious wireless activity. Network administrators should also consider implementing wireless intrusion detection systems and conducting regular security assessments to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities in their wireless infrastructure.