CVE-2019-25071 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2022
A vulnerability was found in Apple iPhone up to 12.4.1. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is Siri. Playing an audio or video file might be able to initiate Siri on the same device which makes it possible to execute commands remotely. Exploit details have been disclosed to the public. The existence and implications of this vulnerability are doubted by Apple even though multiple public videos demonstrating the attack exist. Upgrading to version 13.0 migt be able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade affected devices. NOTE: Apple claims, that after examining the report they do not see any actual security implications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2024
This vulnerability resides within Apple's iOS operating system affecting versions up to 12.4.1 and specifically impacts the Siri voice assistant functionality. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows remote command execution through media file manipulation, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability manifests when playing audio or video content that can trigger Siri activation, potentially enabling unauthorized remote control of device functions. This represents a serious compromise of device integrity and user privacy, as it bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and allows for arbitrary command execution without user consent or knowledge.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the media processing pipeline that handles audio and video files. When media content is played, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the file headers and metadata, allowing specially crafted media files to contain embedded commands that activate Siri. This flaw operates at the intersection of multimedia processing and voice interface systems, creating a pathway for malicious code execution through seemingly benign media playback. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a variant of improper input validation that allows for privilege escalation through media processing. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically through voice interfaces, and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote command execution to encompass potential data exfiltration, device control, and privacy violations. An attacker could potentially use this vulnerability to access sensitive information, control device functions, and perform actions that would normally require user authorization or authentication. The fact that multiple public demonstrations exist validates the exploitability of this vulnerability, despite Apple's initial claims of no security implications. The remote execution capability means that adversaries could potentially compromise devices without physical access or user interaction beyond playing malicious media content. This vulnerability could be particularly dangerous in environments where device security is paramount, as it allows for covert exploitation through media files that appear legitimate.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to iOS version 13.0 or later, which addresses the underlying vulnerability through improved input validation and media processing controls. This upgrade represents a necessary security measure that closes the exploit pathway by implementing proper sanitization of media file headers and metadata before processing. Organizations and individuals should prioritize this upgrade as a critical security measure, particularly in environments where device security is essential. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level controls to prevent unauthorized media file access and educating users about the risks of playing unknown or untrusted media content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing across all system components, particularly those that interface with user input and external media processing, as it shows how seemingly innocuous functionality can create significant security risks when not properly validated and sanitized.