CVE-2015-5905 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Safari in Apple iOS before 9 allows remote attackers to spoof the relationship between URLs and web content via a crafted window opener on a web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5905 represents a critical security flaw in Apple iOS Safari browsers prior to version 9, specifically targeting the browser's handling of window opener relationships in web content. This issue falls under the category of web browser security vulnerabilities and demonstrates how improper URL relationship management can lead to significant spoofing attacks. The flaw exists in the way Safari processes window.open() operations and manages the relationship between source and target URLs within web pages, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the perceived identity of web content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the window opener mechanism that browsers use to track the relationship between windows and their parent windows. When a web page opens a new window using window.open(), the browser typically maintains a reference to the originating page to establish trust relationships and security contexts. In affected iOS versions, attackers could craft malicious web content that manipulates this relationship through carefully constructed window opener parameters, causing the browser to display content from one domain while misleading users into believing they are interacting with content from another domain. This creates a spoofing scenario where users cannot reliably determine the true origin of displayed content based on URL bar information alone.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5905 extends beyond simple phishing attempts, as it fundamentally undermines user trust in browser security mechanisms and can enable more sophisticated attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to create convincing fake login pages, fraudulent banking interfaces, or deceptive administrative panels that appear to originate from legitimate domains. The vulnerability particularly affects mobile users who rely on Safari's security model, as the attack vectors can be executed through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or device modifications. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access sensitive content through mobile devices.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 and CWE-352, representing URL redirection and cross-site request forgery concerns respectively. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1056.001, which covers input injection through web browser interfaces, and T1566.001, covering spearphishing through web applications. Organizations should implement immediate patch management protocols to upgrade affected iOS devices to version 9 or later, while also conducting security awareness training to help users recognize potential spoofing attempts. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious web content patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and browser security policies should be reviewed to ensure proper implementation of same-origin policies and content security measures. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current browser versions and implementing comprehensive mobile device security management programs.