CVE-2015-5928 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 9.1, Safari before 9.0.1, and iTunes before 12.3.1, 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-2015-10-21-1, APPLE-SA-2015-10-21-3, and APPLE-SA-2015-10-21-5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5928 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's mobile and desktop browsers. This vulnerability affects multiple Apple products including iOS versions prior to 9.1, Safari browser versions before 9.0.1, and iTunes versions before 12.3.1, demonstrating the widespread impact of WebKit-based security issues across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw specifically manifests when WebKit processes maliciously crafted web content, creating a pathway for remote code execution or denial of service conditions that can compromise system integrity and user security.
This memory corruption vulnerability operates through a sophisticated exploitation vector that leverages the rendering engine's handling of malformed web content. The technical implementation involves improper memory management during web page processing, where WebKit fails to properly validate or sanitize input data from malicious websites. Attackers can craft specific web pages containing malformed JavaScript, HTML, or CSS elements that trigger buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption patterns within the WebKit rendering engine. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) and CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference) categories, which are common in browser engine exploits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to enable full remote code execution capabilities that can compromise user systems. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected browser application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The denial of service aspect can cause applications to crash repeatedly, rendering the browser and potentially the entire operating system unstable. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to user privacy and system security, as it can be exploited through simple web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The attack surface is particularly broad given that WebKit is used across multiple Apple platforms, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to maximize their exploitation potential.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5928 should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected Apple products, as recommended by the vendor's security advisories. System administrators and users must ensure that iOS devices are updated to version 9.1 or later, Safari browsers are upgraded to version 9.0.1 or newer, and iTunes is updated to version 12.3.1 or higher. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security restrictions such as disabling JavaScript for untrusted websites, using security-focused browser extensions, and maintaining regular security updates. Organizations should also consider network-level protections including web content filtering and intrusion detection systems to prevent access to known malicious domains. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of browser engine vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, with potential for lateral movement within compromised systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated browser-based attacks that can bypass traditional security controls.