CVE-2015-5810 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-2015-5810 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's iOS and iTunes applications. This vulnerability specifically affects iOS versions prior to 9.0 and iTunes versions prior to 12.3, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors could exploit to gain unauthorized system access. The flaw manifests through crafted web content delivered via malicious websites, enabling remote code execution or denial of service conditions that can crash applications entirely.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's rendering engine, where insufficient input validation and memory management controls allow attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully constructed web pages. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory corruption issues, which are classified as CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) or similar memory management flaws that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web rendering and system memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it bridges the gap between web-based attacks and system-level exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to users of affected Apple products since it enables remote code execution without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack vector leverages the web browser's rendering capabilities to trigger memory corruption, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This capability can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation, making it a highly attractive target for sophisticated threat actors. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables remote execution of malicious code through web-based attacks.
The impact extends beyond individual user devices to enterprise environments where Apple products are prevalent, as successful exploitation can result in widespread compromise of sensitive corporate data. Organizations using affected versions of iOS or iTunes remain vulnerable to attacks that could bypass traditional network security controls, since the exploitation occurs through legitimate web browsing activities. The vulnerability's similarity to other WebKit CVEs from the same period indicates a pattern of memory management issues within the rendering engine, suggesting that multiple related flaws may exist within the same codebase. Remediation requires immediate patching of affected systems through official Apple security updates, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively mitigated through configuration changes or network controls alone. Security professionals should prioritize this vulnerability in their assessment and remediation efforts, as it represents a critical weakness in Apple's mobile and desktop computing platforms that could be exploited by both automated malware and targeted attack groups.