CVE-2015-5931 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple 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-2015-10-21-3 and APPLE-SA-2015-10-21-5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5931 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple Safari browser and iTunes media application. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to Safari 9.0.1 and iTunes 12.3.1, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors who can leverage crafted web content to compromise system integrity. The flaw manifests through maliciously constructed web pages that trigger memory corruption conditions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. Such vulnerabilities in core browser engines pose severe risks as they can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring user interaction beyond visiting compromised sites.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's rendering and processing components. Attackers can craft specific web content that, when processed by the affected browsers, causes memory corruption through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory manipulation flaws. These conditions typically occur during the parsing or rendering of web elements such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript code. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities. The flaw operates at the intersection of web rendering and memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal web browsing operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5931 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable full system compromise. When exploited successfully, attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, which typically run with elevated permissions in modern operating systems. This capability allows threat actors to install malware, steal sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, particularly when users browse untrusted websites or download content from malicious sources. The risk is amplified because these affected applications are commonly used and frequently accessed, increasing the potential attack surface and exploitation frequency. Organizations and individuals using affected versions face significant security risks that could result in data breaches, system takeovers, or other malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5931 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. The most effective approach involves upgrading to patched versions of Safari 9.0.1 or later and iTunes 12.3.1 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes to address the memory corruption issues. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, enabling sandboxing features, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious content before it reaches vulnerable systems. The vulnerability's characteristics align with tactics described in the attack framework, particularly those involving initial access through web-based attacks and privilege escalation through memory corruption exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and downloading content from unknown sources, as social engineering remains a common initial exploitation vector for such vulnerabilities.