CVE-2015-7083 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Apple iOS before 9.2, OS X before 10.11.2, tvOS before 9.1, and watchOS before 2.1 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7084.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7083 represents a critical kernel-level flaw affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 9.2, macOS versions before 10.11.2, tvOS before 9.1, and watchOS before 2.1. This issue manifests as a privilege escalation vulnerability that enables local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire system. The vulnerability stems from memory corruption issues within the kernel components that handle system operations and user permissions, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves unspecified vectors that lead to memory corruption within the kernel space, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the core level of the operating system where all security boundaries are established. Kernel vulnerabilities of this nature typically arise from improper input validation, buffer overflows, or use-after-free conditions that can be exploited by malicious code to manipulate kernel memory structures. The fact that this vulnerability operates at the kernel level means that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, as the attacker gains access to the highest privilege level available within the operating system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for affected systems as local users can leverage it to escalate their privileges without requiring additional authentication or external network access. The memory corruption aspect of the vulnerability can also lead to denial of service conditions where system stability is compromised, potentially causing unexpected reboots or system crashes. The implications extend beyond individual device security to enterprise environments where multiple devices may be simultaneously vulnerable, creating potential attack vectors for broader network compromise.
The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Access to Memory" and CWE-20, which covers "Improper Input Validation," both of which are fundamental categories in the CWE taxonomy that describe the underlying causes of kernel memory corruption issues. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and system compromise methods, specifically targeting the kernel as a critical attack surface. The attack vector operates through local execution contexts where an attacker already has access to the system, making the exploitation relatively straightforward once the initial access is established.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7083 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment across all affected Apple operating systems, as Apple released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability in their respective software releases. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest supported versions, ensuring that the patches include the necessary kernel-level fixes that address the memory corruption issues. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for any unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining strict access controls to limit local user privileges where possible. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility and prevent unintended system disruptions.