CVE-2015-7010 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
FontParser in Apple iOS before 9.1 and OS X before 10.11.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted font file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-6976, CVE-2015-6977, CVE-2015-6978, CVE-2015-6990, CVE-2015-6991, CVE-2015-6993, CVE-2015-7008, CVE-2015-7009, and CVE-2015-7018.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7010 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's FontParser component that affects iOS versions prior to 9.1 and OS X versions prior to 10.11.1. This vulnerability resides in the font parsing functionality that processes various font file formats including TrueType, OpenType, and other rasterization formats used by Apple's operating systems. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory handling when processing crafted malicious font files, creating a pathway for remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing of font metadata and glyph information, where improper bounds checking and memory allocation practices lead to exploitable memory corruption conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow scenario within the font parsing code that fails to properly validate the size and structure of font file components before processing them. When a maliciously crafted font file is encountered, the parser attempts to allocate memory based on malformed header values or oversized data structures, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers. The vulnerability operates through the standard font rendering pipeline where applications and system components load and process font files, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web content, or downloaded files. This memory corruption allows attackers to potentially overwrite critical memory locations, manipulate program execution flow, or cause system crashes through controlled memory corruption patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7010 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full remote code execution capabilities that could enable attackers to compromise entire systems. Attackers can craft specific font files that, when processed by vulnerable systems, will trigger the memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because font files are commonly encountered in legitimate system operations, making exploitation more likely through social engineering or automated web-based attacks. The vulnerability affects core system components that handle font rendering across multiple applications and system services, amplifying the potential attack surface and making it a high-priority target for threat actors seeking persistent system compromise.
Security mitigations for CVE-2015-7010 primarily involve applying the official security updates released by Apple, specifically iOS 9.1 and OS X 10.11.1 patches that address the memory handling issues in the FontParser component. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction. Additionally, network security controls such as web content filtering and email scanning can help prevent the delivery of malicious font files to vulnerable systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories related to stack and heap-based buffer overflows, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution through software exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual font processing activity and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.