CVE-2015-3748 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 • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3748 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit's JavaScript engine that affected multiple versions of Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems. This vulnerability resides in the rendering engine that powers Safari browsers and iOS web applications, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through malicious websites without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting the compromised page. The flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow or use-after-free condition that occurs when processing specially crafted JavaScript code, leading to unpredictable memory corruption patterns that attackers can leverage for remote code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These classifications indicate that the flaw involves improper handling of memory boundaries during JavaScript object manipulation, specifically when the WebKit engine processes complex JavaScript constructs that trigger memory allocation and deallocation sequences. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities, making it difficult for users to protect themselves through simple behavioral changes. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected browsers, cause the JavaScript engine to corrupt memory structures, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it represents a complete compromise of the affected system's security model. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistence mechanisms. The affected versions include iOS 8.4.0 and earlier, as well as Safari versions 6.2.7 and earlier, 7.1.7 and earlier, and 8.0.7 and earlier, indicating a broad attack surface across multiple Apple products. The vulnerability's similarity to other WebKit CVEs from the same period suggests a pattern of memory management flaws within the JavaScript engine, particularly in how it handles complex object lifecycles and memory allocation during script execution. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning as it demonstrates systemic weaknesses in the engine's memory safety mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3748 primarily focus on immediate system updates and browser patches, as Apple released security updates to address the specific memory corruption issues in their WebKit implementation. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to known malicious domains. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently visit compromised websites. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features, implementing strict content security policies, and monitoring for unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and the need for organizations to maintain current patch management processes to protect against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may arise in other browser engines or web technologies.