CVE-2015-6979 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
GasGauge in Apple iOS before 9.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6979 affects Apple iOS versions prior to 9.1 and specifically targets the GasGauge component which is responsible for monitoring and managing battery status information within the operating system. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that could potentially allow remote attackers to escalate privileges and execute malicious code within the system's privileged execution context. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the GasGauge subsystem, which processes battery-related data from various applications and system components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting a malicious application that triggers specific memory corruption conditions when the GasGauge component processes the crafted input data. The memory corruption occurs during the handling of battery status information, where insufficient bounds checking and validation allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical system structures. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though it manifests in a more complex memory corruption scenario that can lead to privilege escalation. The attack vector requires the victim to install and run the malicious application, making it a user-interaction dependent vulnerability that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for escalation of privileges. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as the memory corruption can also result in system instability and denial of service conditions that may require device rebooting or complete system recovery. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a system component that has extensive access to hardware resources and system information, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to iOS devices. The GasGauge component's role in monitoring battery health and managing power consumption makes it an attractive target since it maintains continuous operation and receives data from numerous applications. This vulnerability could enable attackers to gain root access to devices, allowing them to install additional malicious software, access encrypted data, or monitor user activities without detection. The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a significant gap in iOS security architecture where system components responsible for hardware monitoring can be manipulated to achieve unauthorized access to privileged execution contexts. Organizations and individuals should prioritize updating to iOS 9.1 or later versions to mitigate this vulnerability, as Apple released a security update specifically addressing the memory corruption issues within the GasGauge subsystem. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in system components that handle sensitive hardware data, emphasizing the need for robust security practices in mobile operating system development and maintenance.