CVE-2015-3743 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 • 06/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3743 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's mobile and desktop browsers. This weakness exists in Apple iOS versions prior to 8.4.1 and Safari versions before 6.2.8, 7.x before 7.1.8, and 8.x before 8.0.8, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors. The vulnerability allows adversaries to craft malicious web pages that can trigger arbitrary code execution or induce denial of service conditions through memory corruption mechanisms. This issue operates independently from other WebKit vulnerabilities documented in APPLE-SA-2015-08-13-1 and APPLE-SA-2015-08-13-3, indicating it represents a distinct class of memory safety problems within the browser rendering engine.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Attackers can exploit this flaw by delivering specially crafted web content that manipulates memory structures in ways that were not properly validated or sanitized. The memory corruption occurs during the processing of web page elements, potentially through JavaScript execution, DOM manipulation, or rendering of complex web content. When users visit malicious websites, the vulnerable WebKit engine executes code that overwrites memory locations or corrupts heap structures, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be leveraged for full system compromise. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common precursors to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3743 extends beyond simple application crashes, creating a pathway for sophisticated attacks that can compromise user devices. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected browser process, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The vulnerability's presence across multiple iOS and Safari versions indicates a widespread exposure that affects a large user base, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking scalable attack vectors. Organizations and individual users who remain on affected versions face significant risk, as the attack requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by download attacks or social engineering campaigns. The memory corruption aspect means that even if immediate exploitation is not successful, the instability introduced can lead to persistent denial of service conditions that degrade system performance.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3743 primarily center on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. Users should prioritize upgrading to Apple iOS 8.4.1 and corresponding Safari versions that contain patches for this vulnerability. System administrators should implement network-level controls to block access to known malicious domains and deploy web application firewalls that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, and T1499, which covers endpoint denial of service. Additional protective measures include enabling sandboxing features, restricting browser permissions, and implementing security awareness training to reduce the risk of visiting malicious websites. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected software versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and business criticality.