CVE-2015-7013 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
CVE-2015-7013 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability within WebKit engine that affected Apple Safari versions prior to 9.0.1 and iTunes versions prior to 12.3.1. This vulnerability operates through a crafted web page that can trigger arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions when processed by the affected browsers. The flaw stems from improper memory management during web content rendering, specifically in how WebKit handles certain JavaScript objects and memory allocation patterns. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious content on compromised websites or through social engineering campaigns that direct victims to visit specifically crafted pages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for remote code execution without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for zero-day exploits in the cybercriminal ecosystem. This issue falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and is categorized as a memory corruption vulnerability that can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption during JavaScript object handling within WebKit's rendering engine. When Safari processes certain malformed or crafted JavaScript code, the memory management system fails to properly validate object boundaries, leading to heap corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that causes application crashes or allows for code injection attacks through buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. Security researchers identified that the flaw occurs in the JavaScriptCore engine component of WebKit, where improper memory deallocation and object reference management creates exploitable conditions. This vulnerability can be chained with other exploits to bypass modern security mitigations like ASLR and DEP, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7013 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Organizations using affected versions of Safari or iTunes face significant risk of data breaches, malware deployment, and persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's ability to cause denial of service means that legitimate users can be disrupted through targeted attacks, while the remote code execution capability allows attackers to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where users may browse untrusted websites or receive malicious email attachments that contain links to compromised sites. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects not just desktop browsers but also mobile applications that utilize WebKit rendering. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling and incident response planning, as it represents a significant risk to both individual users and enterprise networks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it in the highest risk category for security professionals, requiring immediate remediation and monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7013 include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches, which update Safari to version 9.0.1 and iTunes to version 12.3.1. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures including disabling JavaScript on untrusted sites, implementing sandboxing technologies, and using security extensions can provide additional defense layers. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious web traffic patterns and anomalous browser behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of the affected software. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral analysis tools that can detect anomalous JavaScript execution patterns associated with this type of memory corruption exploit. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing comprehensive patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also develop incident response procedures specifically addressing browser-based exploits to ensure rapid detection and containment of potential compromise events.