CVE-2015-5844 in Watch
Summary
by MITRE
IOKit in the kernel in Apple iOS before 9 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5845 and CVE-2015-5846.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5844 represents a critical kernel-level flaw within Apple's IOKit framework that affected iOS versions prior to 9.0. This issue resides in the kernel's IOKit subsystem which serves as the foundation for device driver and hardware interaction within the operating system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management handling within the kernel space, creating a pathway for malicious code execution. IOKit is responsible for managing hardware devices and their drivers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking elevated privileges. The flaw specifically manifests when the kernel processes certain malformed data structures from user-space applications, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be exploited for privilege escalation or system compromise.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-5844 occurs through a crafted application that sends malformed IOKit requests to the kernel. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787, out-of-bounds write conditions that can occur in kernel space. Attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate kernel memory structures, potentially executing arbitrary code with root privileges or causing memory corruption that results in system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the kernel context, meaning successful exploitation bypasses all user-space security mechanisms and can provide complete system control. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2015-5845 and CVE-2015-5846, this flaw specifically targets IOKit's internal processing logic rather than other subsystems, making it distinct in both attack surface and exploitation methodology.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5844 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential complete system compromise and persistent backdoor capabilities. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to gain root access to iOS devices, allowing them to install malicious applications, access all user data, modify system files, and potentially create persistent footholds within the compromised device. The memory corruption aspect can lead to denial of service conditions that may require device reboot or complete system recovery. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents a high-value target in the cybercriminal ecosystem, as it provides the foundation for more sophisticated attacks including data exfiltration, surveillance operations, and lateral movement within enterprise environments. The vulnerability's presence in devices running iOS versions before 9.0 meant that millions of iOS devices were potentially at risk, particularly in environments where device security was not properly maintained through timely updates.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2015-5844 centers exclusively on updating to iOS 9.0 or later versions where Apple has implemented comprehensive fixes for the IOKit memory handling issues. System administrators and security professionals should prioritize immediate deployment of the iOS 9.0 update across all affected devices, as this vulnerability cannot be patched through configuration changes or third-party security solutions. Organizations should also implement robust mobile device management protocols to ensure timely patch deployment and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts. The fix implemented by Apple addresses the underlying memory corruption issues in the IOKit framework through enhanced input validation, improved memory allocation handling, and strengthened kernel boundary checks. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be used in targeted attacks against high-value targets or in botnet operations. Given the nature of the vulnerability and its potential for privilege escalation, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their mobile device environments to ensure complete remediation and prevent potential exploitation by threat actors leveraging the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques.