CVE-2015-5930 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-2015-5930 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's iOS Safari browser and iTunes application. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to iOS 9.1, Safari 9.0.1, and iTunes 12.3.1, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem where WebKit serves as the core rendering engine for web content processing. The flaw manifests through crafted web pages that can trigger unauthorized code execution or system crashes, presenting both remote code execution capabilities and denial of service conditions that could severely compromise user security and system stability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's processing pipeline, where maliciously constructed web content can exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities during page rendering or script execution. This type of flaw typically occurs when the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize input data from web pages, allowing attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted payloads. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in affected browsers, triggers memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5930 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full system compromise potential, as the vulnerability allows for remote code execution capabilities that could enable attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or gain persistent access to compromised systems. This risk is particularly severe in mobile environments where iOS devices handle sensitive personal data and financial transactions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically involving visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through command and scripting interpreters, and potentially T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through memory corruption vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems, as Apple released security updates addressing the specific memory corruption issues in iOS 9.1, Safari 9.0.1, and iTunes 12.3.1. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly. Network administrators can deploy web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains, though this provides only partial protection since the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering. Browser hardening measures such as sandboxing and privilege separation can help limit the impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security monitoring and incident response procedures should be established to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all platforms, as similar memory corruption flaws have been documented in other browser engines and operating system components, making this a critical area for ongoing security assessment and remediation efforts.