CVE-2015-5795 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 9 and iTunes before 12.3, 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-2015-09-16-1 and APPLE-SA-2015-09-16-3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5795 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit, the rendering engine that powers Apple's Safari browser and various other applications. This vulnerability specifically affected Apple iOS versions prior to 9.0 and iTunes versions prior to 12.3, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes certain web content, enabling malicious actors to craft specially designed websites that could trigger unpredictable behavior in the affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. When a user visits a malicious website, the crafted content exploits a flaw in WebKit's memory management or object handling mechanisms. This allows attackers to manipulate memory addresses and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability differs from other WebKit issues referenced in APPLE-SA-2015-09-16-1 and APPLE-SA-2015-09-16-3, indicating it represents a distinct code path or implementation flaw that requires separate remediation approaches.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to users of affected Apple products, as it can be exploited through simple web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site. The memory corruption aspect means that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise or application crashes that could be used for persistent denial of service attacks. Users of iOS devices and iTunes were particularly vulnerable since these applications are widely used and often accessed through untrusted web content.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with common web-based exploitation techniques and falls under the attack pattern category of web application exploitation. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this would be classified as a technique involving code injection and privilege escalation, potentially mapping to T1059 for command and script injection and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-119, which describes weaknesses in memory management that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to the patched versions of iOS 9.0 and iTunes 12.3, as these releases contain the necessary patches to address the memory corruption flaw. Additionally, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be maintained to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping web rendering engines updated, as these components are frequently targeted by attackers due to their exposure to untrusted content.