CVE-2015-7037 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Mobile Backup in Photos in Apple iOS before 9.2 allows attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted pathname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2022
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7037 resides within Apple iOS's Mobile Backup functionality within the Photos application. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables unauthorized file access through manipulation of file pathnames. The vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 9.2, creating a persistent risk for users who have not updated their systems. The issue stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input when processing file paths during backup operations, allowing attackers to craft malicious pathname sequences that bypass normal access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack vector where the Mobile Backup component fails to properly sanitize or validate file path references. When users attempt to backup photos or related data, the system processes file paths without adequate restrictions on directory navigation sequences such as ../ or ..\ that could potentially traverse outside the intended backup directory. This insufficient input validation creates a pathway for attackers to access files outside the designated backup scope, potentially exposing sensitive user data including personal photos, metadata, and other stored information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages improper access control mechanisms that should have prevented such cross-directory file access.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7037 extends beyond simple unauthorized file reading capabilities to encompass potential data exfiltration and privacy violations. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to access not only user photos but also potentially sensitive metadata, application data, and other stored information within the device's file system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for widespread abuse. Organizations and individuals using affected iOS versions face significant risk of data compromise, especially in enterprise environments where mobile device security is paramount. This weakness also provides attackers with potential footholds for further exploitation, as access to backup directories may reveal additional system information or credentials stored in related files.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate system updates to iOS 9.2 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper input validation and path sanitization measures. System administrators should enforce mandatory update policies for all mobile devices within their organization to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing mobile device management solutions that can monitor for suspicious file access patterns and network traffic anomalies. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which catalogs improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a specific instance of the broader attack pattern described in MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should also consider network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous file access patterns consistent with path traversal attacks, particularly when monitoring mobile device communications with backup services and cloud storage providers.