CVE-2015-3746 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-2015-3746 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit's JavaScript engine that affected multiple Apple iOS and Safari versions. This vulnerability resides in the rendering engine's handling of JavaScript objects and memory management, specifically manifesting when processing malformed web content. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems through specially crafted web pages, making it a severe security risk that could be exploited in the wild. The vulnerability operates by manipulating memory structures during JavaScript object creation and garbage collection processes, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or system compromise. This issue falls under the CWE-122 weakness category, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions in heap-based memory management, making it particularly dangerous in browser environments where memory corruption can lead to full system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious web page triggers a specific sequence of JavaScript operations that cause memory corruption within WebKit's JavaScript engine. Attackers can craft web content that forces the browser to allocate memory in unexpected ways, leading to memory overwrite conditions that can be controlled to execute malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core rendering engine of mobile and desktop browsers, meaning that simply visiting a compromised website could result in system compromise. The memory corruption manifests through improper handling of JavaScript objects during garbage collection cycles, where memory pointers become invalid or corrupted, potentially allowing attackers to redirect execution flow or inject malicious code into the browser process. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript and VBScript, and T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it exploits the scripting capabilities of web browsers to achieve code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3746 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise capabilities that could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected browser process. This vulnerability affects users across multiple platforms including iOS devices, desktop Safari browsers, and potentially other applications leveraging WebKit. The memory corruption can lead to application crashes, data corruption, or complete system compromise depending on the exploitation method and target environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for mobile users who may inadvertently encounter compromised content while browsing. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of data theft, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within networks. The impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of Safari and iOS, requiring comprehensive patching across various platforms and device types.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3746 primarily involve immediate software updates and patches provided by Apple to address the specific memory corruption issues in WebKit. Users should prioritize installing the latest iOS updates and Safari versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability, as Apple released patches specifically addressing the memory management flaws in their WebKit implementation. Network administrators should implement web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains and consider deploying browser security extensions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include enabling sandboxing features within browsers, disabling unnecessary JavaScript execution, and implementing security policies that limit browser access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-122 and its exploitation patterns make it essential for organizations to conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their browser environments and ensure all systems are updated to prevent potential exploitation. Regular security monitoring and incident response procedures should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's nature makes it particularly suitable for drive-by download attacks that can compromise systems without user interaction.