CVE-2015-5925 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The CoreGraphics component in Apple iOS before 9.1, OS X before 10.11.1, and watchOS before 2.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-5926.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5925 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's CoreGraphics framework that affected multiple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 9.1, macOS versions before 10.11.1, and watchOS versions before 2.0.1. This vulnerability resides in the fundamental graphics rendering component that processes visual elements across Apple's ecosystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction. The flaw specifically manifests when CoreGraphics processes maliciously crafted web content, enabling attackers to exploit memory corruption issues that could lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. This vulnerability operates at a low level within the operating system's graphics pipeline, making it difficult to detect and exploit while simultaneously providing attackers with a powerful vector for system compromise. The technical nature of the flaw suggests it involves improper memory management during the parsing and rendering of graphics elements, potentially through buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that are commonly categorized under CWE-121 and CWE-125. The attack vector through crafted websites demonstrates how web-based exploitation can leverage system-level components to achieve privilege escalation, aligning with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 and T1068 for execution and privilege escalation respectively. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability indicates that attackers could potentially manipulate heap memory structures or stack frames during graphics processing, leading to unpredictable behavior that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5925 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the potential for arbitrary code execution makes it a significant threat to user data and system integrity. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow remote attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The fact that this affects CoreGraphics, a component that handles all visual rendering across Apple's platforms, means that the attack surface is extensive and includes web browsers, email clients, and any application that displays graphics content. The vulnerability's ability to cause memory corruption through web content means that users could be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks. The different nature of this vulnerability compared to CVE-2015-5926 indicates that it involves distinct memory handling patterns or processing flows within CoreGraphics, suggesting that attackers might be able to leverage multiple vectors for exploitation. Security researchers have noted that such memory corruption vulnerabilities often require specific conditions to be met, but once exploited, they can provide persistent access to compromised systems, making them particularly valuable targets for advanced persistent threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5925 focus primarily on applying official security updates from Apple, which would include patches to the CoreGraphics framework that address the underlying memory management issues. System administrators should prioritize patching across all affected platforms, as the vulnerability affects multiple operating systems within Apple's ecosystem, creating a unified attack surface that requires coordinated remediation efforts. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious web content before it reaches user devices. Additionally, user education about the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software up to date becomes crucial in preventing exploitation. The vulnerability's nature as a memory corruption issue suggests that runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries should be enabled where possible, though these protections may not be sufficient against sophisticated attacks targeting CoreGraphics. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual graphics processing patterns or memory allocation behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be prepared to handle potential compromise scenarios. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that organizations should consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Given the nature of the vulnerability and its potential for privilege escalation, comprehensive security audits should be conducted to ensure that all affected systems are properly patched and that appropriate monitoring is in place to detect potential exploitation attempts.