CVE-2015-5822 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in JavaScriptCore 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 • 11/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5822 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit's JavaScriptCore engine that affected Apple iOS versions prior to 9.0 and iTunes versions prior to 12.3. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex JavaScript engines that handle dynamic code execution and memory management in web browsers and media applications. The flaw specifically resides in how JavaScriptCore processes certain JavaScript constructs, creating conditions that allow remote attackers to manipulate memory in ways that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling during JavaScript object manipulation and garbage collection processes within the JavaScriptCore engine. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that exploit memory corruption patterns, potentially leading to heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. These memory corruption issues occur when JavaScript code attempts to access memory locations that have been freed or improperly allocated, creating opportunities for attackers to inject and execute malicious code. The vulnerability operates at a low level within the JavaScript engine's memory management subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional security controls that operate at higher application layers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to users of affected Apple products, as it can be exploited through seemingly benign web browsing activities. The attack vector requires only a user to visit a malicious website, making it particularly effective for phishing campaigns and drive-by attacks. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged for denial of service attacks, where the memory corruption causes application crashes and system instability, effectively rendering the affected device unusable.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual user devices to enterprise environments where Apple products are widely deployed. Organizations that rely on iTunes for device management or iOS devices for business operations face potential security risks that could lead to data breaches or service disruptions. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions, and CWE-787, which covers "Out-of-bounds Write" scenarios, both of which are common patterns in memory corruption vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving privilege escalation and code execution through memory corruption, aligning with tactics such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5822 primarily focus on applying the official security patches released by Apple, which include updates to iOS 9.0 and iTunes 12.3. System administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of these updates across all affected devices and implement network-level controls to block access to known malicious domains. Additional protective measures include enabling automatic updates, maintaining comprehensive network monitoring to detect anomalous behavior patterns, and implementing sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to provide additional layers of protection against malicious web content that could exploit this vulnerability.