CVE-2015-5804 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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5804 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. The flaw manifests through crafted web content that can trigger arbitrary code execution or cause application crashes, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently browse the internet. The vulnerability operates at the core rendering engine level, where WebKit processes web content, making it a fundamental security concern for all applications relying on this component.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during web page rendering processes within the WebKit engine. Attackers can construct malicious web pages that exploit buffer overflows or use after free conditions in the memory allocation routines. These memory corruption issues occur when WebKit fails to properly validate or sanitize input data from web content, particularly when processing complex web elements such as JavaScript objects, DOM manipulation operations, or memory-intensive web features. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers or overwrite critical program data structures, ultimately enabling remote code execution capabilities that bypass standard security mechanisms. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes in memory operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5804 extends beyond simple application crashes, presenting serious risks to user data integrity and system security. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to mobile devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. Mobile environments are particularly vulnerable due to the limited security controls compared to desktop systems and the high value of mobile device data. The remote nature of exploitation means users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for mobile users who frequently browse the internet. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and control, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to ensure proper memory management controls are in place. Apple's release of iOS 9 and iTunes 12.3 addressed the underlying memory corruption issues through improved input validation and enhanced memory allocation routines. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly. Network-level protections such as web filtering and browser security extensions can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these are secondary to proper system patching. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual network traffic patterns or application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with common mobile security threats, making it essential for organizations to maintain current threat intelligence feeds and security posture assessments to prevent successful exploitation attempts.