CVE-2015-5797 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-2015-5797 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's iOS and iTunes applications. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of iOS prior to version 9 and iTunes prior to version 12.3, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors who can exploit this weakness through maliciously crafted websites. The flaw operates at the core rendering engine level, where WebKit processes web content, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by visiting a compromised website without any user interaction beyond normal browsing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine and rendering components, leading to heap corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Attackers can craft web pages containing specially designed malicious code that, when rendered by the vulnerable WebKit engine, triggers memory corruption patterns that allow for code execution or system crashes. This memory corruption typically occurs during the processing of web content that involves complex JavaScript operations or DOM manipulation, where insufficient bounds checking or improper memory deallocation creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious payloads.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to user security and system stability across affected Apple platforms. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely means that attackers can gain full control over compromised devices, potentially leading to data theft, persistent backdoors, or further lateral movement within networks. The denial of service component of this vulnerability creates additional risks as it can cause applications to crash unexpectedly, potentially disrupting normal business operations and user productivity. Organizations relying on iOS devices or iTunes for media management face significant exposure, as users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or downloading content from untrusted sources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution, and also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for affected iOS versions and iTunes installations, as well as implementing network-based protections such as web content filtering and sandboxing measures. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about visiting untrusted websites and the risks associated with downloading content from unknown sources. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns and implementing endpoint detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts before they succeed in compromising systems. The remediation process requires careful coordination between IT departments and Apple's official security advisories to ensure complete patch coverage across all affected platforms.