CVE-2016-1725 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 9.2.1 and Safari before 9.0.3, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1723 and CVE-2016-1726.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2022
This vulnerability resides within WebKit's JavaScriptCore engine, specifically affecting Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that enables remote code execution when users visit malicious websites. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain JavaScript objects during memory allocation and deallocation processes, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The issue affects iOS versions prior to 9.2.1 and Safari versions prior to 9.0.3, indicating that Apple's security team identified this as a critical concern requiring immediate patching. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime candidate for drive-by attack scenarios. The memory corruption occurs during JavaScript object management, where the engine fails to properly validate object boundaries when handling complex data structures, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and data theft. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass security restrictions, escalate privileges, and gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information stored on the device. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework places it within the privilege escalation and execution domains, as it allows adversaries to execute malicious code remotely without user interaction. The memory corruption aspect makes this particularly dangerous because it can lead to system instability, causing denial of service conditions that may be exploited for further attacks. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones for more sophisticated attacks, where initial exploitation leads to full system compromise. The fact that this vulnerability operates in the JavaScriptCore engine means that it affects web applications and web content processing, making it particularly relevant for enterprise security environments where web-based attacks are common. The vulnerability's relationship to other CVEs in the same year demonstrates a pattern of memory corruption issues within Apple's WebKit implementation, suggesting potential architectural weaknesses in the memory management subsystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from Apple. Organizations should prioritize deployment of iOS 9.2.1 and Safari 9.0.3 updates across all affected devices to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Network security teams should implement web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains and monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that traditional endpoint protection measures may not be sufficient, requiring more comprehensive security approaches including application whitelisting and sandboxing. Security monitoring should focus on unusual memory access patterns and unexpected code execution within web browser processes. Given the vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation, organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mobile device management solutions and regular security audits. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue indicates that advanced exploit mitigation techniques like address space layout randomization and stack canaries may not be sufficient, requiring more fundamental architectural security improvements. Security teams should also prepare incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts and establish communication protocols for reporting suspected compromises. The vulnerability's impact on both iOS and Safari platforms necessitates coordinated patch management across all affected Apple products, including desktop computers, mobile devices, and tablets that may be subject to the same memory management flaws.