CVE-2015-7055 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
AppleMobileFileIntegrity in Apple iOS before 9.2 and tvOS before 9.1 does not prevent changes to access-control structures, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7055 resides within AppleMobileFileIntegrity, a critical component of Apple's mobile operating systems that enforces integrity checks for system files and applications. This flaw affects iOS versions prior to 9.2 and tvOS versions prior to 9.1, representing a fundamental weakness in the operating system's security architecture that undermines the integrity protection mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized modifications to system resources.
The technical flaw manifests in AppleMobileFileIntegrity's failure to properly enforce access-control restrictions during file modification operations. This component is responsible for maintaining the security boundaries that prevent unauthorized code execution within privileged contexts, yet it contains a critical oversight that allows attackers to bypass these protective measures. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to modify access-control structures without proper authorization, effectively breaking the security model that separates user-space applications from system-privileged operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code within a privileged execution context. This privilege escalation capability represents a critical security failure that could enable attackers to gain root-level access to affected devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, persistent backdoor installation, and the ability to modify or corrupt system files that maintain the device's security posture.
Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious applications that exploit the insufficient access-control enforcement within AppleMobileFileIntegrity. The attack vector typically involves installing a specially designed application that manipulates the file integrity checking mechanisms to bypass security restrictions. This approach aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and persistence tactics, where adversaries seek to elevate their privileges to gain system-level control.
The vulnerability demonstrates a weakness categorized under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems. This classification reflects the fundamental failure in the access control model implementation within Apple's mobile operating system, where the security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized modifications are insufficiently enforced. The flaw represents a critical gap in the security architecture that violates the principle of least privilege, allowing malicious applications to operate beyond their intended security boundaries.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of the applicable security updates released by Apple. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to iOS 9.2 or later versions and tvOS 9.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the access control bypass mechanism. Additionally, security administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain awareness of the broader threat landscape surrounding similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities in mobile platforms.
The remediation process should include verification that the security updates have been properly installed and that the affected systems are operating with the corrected AppleMobileFileIntegrity implementation. System administrators should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential compromise that may have occurred prior to patch installation, particularly focusing on unauthorized applications that might have exploited this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and the necessity of comprehensive security testing for mobile operating system components that handle privileged operations.