CVE-2015-3807 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
libxml2 in Apple iOS before 8.4.1 and OS X before 10.10.5 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from process memory or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted XML document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3807 represents a critical security flaw within the libxml2 XML parsing library implementation on Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems. This vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 8.4.1 and OS X versions prior to 10.10.5, demonstrating the widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the XML parser, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the system through maliciously crafted XML documents that can be delivered via web services, email attachments, or other network-based vectors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that can lead to two distinct attack vectors: information disclosure and denial of service. When processing malformed XML documents, the libxml2 library fails to properly handle certain memory allocation patterns and buffer operations, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from process memory. This type of vulnerability is classified as a memory safety issue and aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The vulnerability operates at the parsing layer where XML documents are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by legitimate XML processing operations that applications perform routinely.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3807 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the information disclosure component poses significant risks to system security. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive data from memory locations, including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or application state information that could be used to escalate privileges or conduct further attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that malicious actors do not require physical access to devices, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where iOS devices and Mac systems handle sensitive corporate data. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain deeper access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to the patched versions of iOS and OS X, as Apple released security updates specifically addressing this issue. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual XML processing patterns, and security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions. The remediation process should include comprehensive patch management protocols, with particular attention to mobile device management systems that may need to update iOS versions across enterprise fleets. Additionally, implementing XML input validation at network boundaries and application layers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while monitoring for memory corruption indicators and unusual process behavior can help detect exploitation attempts before they succeed.