CVE-2015-7014 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-2015-7014 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit engine components that power Apple's mobile operating systems and desktop applications. This vulnerability specifically affects Apple iOS versions prior to 9.1, Safari browser versions before 9.0.1, and iTunes versions before 12.3.1, demonstrating the widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted websites, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing environments where users frequently encounter untrusted content. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the browser engine's memory management system, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sophisticated memory corruption techniques that leverage weaknesses in WebKit's handling of specific web content structures. The flaw typically manifests when the browser engine processes malformed or specially crafted web pages that trigger improper memory allocation or deallocation patterns. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable program behavior, including application crashes, heap corruption, or more severe conditions that allow attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the browser's execution context. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-119 Improper Access to Memory Location, which specifically addresses issues where software provides improper access to memory locations, potentially leading to memory corruption. The technical implementation suggests that attackers can manipulate JavaScript or HTML parsing routines to cause buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions within WebKit's rendering engine.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7014 extends beyond simple application instability to encompass significant security risks for users of affected Apple products. Mobile users running iOS versions prior to 9.1 face elevated risk when browsing the web, as any compromised website could potentially serve as an attack vector for remote code execution. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit mobile users' browsing habits, as users often navigate to various websites without considering the security implications. Desktop users of affected Safari versions and iTunes installations also face similar risks, as the vulnerability affects the same underlying WebKit engine components across Apple's platforms. This cross-platform vulnerability demonstrates the interconnected nature of Apple's software ecosystem and highlights how a single flaw in a shared component can impact multiple applications and operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7014 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. Apple's recommended solution involves updating to iOS 9.1, Safari 9.0.1, or iTunes 12.3.1, which contain patches addressing the memory corruption issues within WebKit. Organizations and individuals should prioritize these updates to protect against exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's remote execution capability makes it particularly dangerous. Additional protective measures include implementing web filtering solutions, enabling sandboxing features, and restricting browsing to trusted websites only. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to execute arbitrary commands through web-based attack vectors. Security professionals should also consider monitoring network traffic for exploitation attempts and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with this specific vulnerability, as the attack surface encompasses both mobile and desktop platforms.