CVE-2015-3736 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 8.4.1 and Safari before 6.2.8, 7.x before 7.1.8, and 8.x before 8.0.8, 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-2015-08-13-1 and APPLE-SA-2015-08-13-3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3736 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's mobile and desktop browsers. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of iOS and Safari, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by remote adversaries to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities or induce system instability through denial of service conditions. The flaw specifically resides in how WebKit processes certain web content, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through ordinary web browsing activities without any special user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling during web page rendering operations, where WebKit fails to properly validate or sanitize input data structures. This memory corruption issue manifests when the browser encounters specially crafted web content that triggers undefined behavior in the rendering engine's memory management subsystem. The flaw operates at the intersection of multiple attack vectors, making it particularly insidious as it can be leveraged for both arbitrary code execution and system crash scenarios. According to industry standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to users of affected Apple systems as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities, requiring no special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The attack surface is extensive given that the affected versions span multiple iOS releases and Safari versions, creating widespread exposure across Apple's user base. Security analysts have noted that this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with the ATT&CK framework's T1203 technique, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution. The potential impact includes complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability involves immediate application of Apple's security updates, specifically iOS 8.4.1 and corresponding Safari updates for affected versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions and browser hardening measures as additional defensive controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and continuous monitoring of third-party components, particularly those with extensive attack surfaces like browser engines. Security teams should also implement intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain detailed incident response procedures for handling such critical vulnerabilities.