CVE-2015-5766 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Air Traffic in Apple iOS before 8.4.1 allows attackers to access arbitrary filesystem locations via vectors related to asset handling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2017
The CVE-2015-5766 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Apple iOS versions prior to 8.4.1, specifically affecting the Air Traffic application. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during asset handling processes, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's file access mechanisms. The flaw enables unauthorized users to navigate beyond intended filesystem boundaries and access sensitive files or directories that should remain protected. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that Air Traffic is a legitimate Apple application designed for flight tracking and aviation data management, making it a plausible target for adversaries seeking to extract sensitive operational information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user-provided asset identifiers without proper sanitization or validation. Attackers can manipulate file paths through crafted input parameters that exploit the application's failure to properly validate or restrict file access operations. When the Air Traffic application attempts to load assets or resources, it processes these paths without sufficient boundary checking, allowing attackers to append directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate to parent directories. This flaw specifically affects iOS versions before 8.4.1, indicating that Apple had not yet addressed the issue in earlier releases, leaving millions of devices vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard network-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with various applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5766 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it could potentially expose sensitive aviation data, configuration files, or system resources that might contain proprietary information. Mobile devices running vulnerable iOS versions could become compromised entry points for more sophisticated attacks, especially if the affected application has access to network resources or sensitive user data. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, as attackers might leverage the directory traversal to access system tools or scripts. Additionally, the flaw could enable attackers to access application-specific data stores, potentially compromising user privacy or operational security. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple iOS releases indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that required a full system update to resolve, highlighting the importance of comprehensive input validation in mobile application development.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through iOS 8.4.1 update, which implemented proper input validation and path sanitization mechanisms within the Air Traffic application. The fix likely involved implementing stricter checks on asset path processing, ensuring that all file access operations are properly confined to designated directories. Organizations should ensure all iOS devices are updated to version 8.4.1 or later to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability remains exploitable in older versions. Security professionals should monitor for similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications, particularly those handling user-provided input or accessing filesystem resources. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and proper access controls in mobile application security, particularly in applications that handle sensitive operational data. This case demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in asset handling can create significant security risks in mobile environments where applications often have broad access to system resources and user data.