CVE-2022-46696 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2022
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in Safari 16.2, tvOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw that affects Apple's web browser ecosystem, specifically targeting Safari and related operating systems. The issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-provided content, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability exists within the web rendering engine's handling of crafted web content, where improper memory management allows attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully constructed input. This type of flaw falls under the category of memory safety vulnerabilities that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system control. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it leverages web-based delivery mechanisms, making it accessible through standard browser interactions with compromised web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that occurs when the browser processes maliciously crafted web content. Attackers can exploit this by delivering specially constructed web pages that trigger memory corruption during rendering operations. The flaw likely manifests through buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that occur when the browser attempts to parse and display malicious content. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered automatically through web browsing activities, requiring no additional user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The exploitation typically follows a pattern where crafted input causes the browser to allocate or deallocate memory in unexpected ways, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. This aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack chain framework where initial access is gained through web-based delivery mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Apple platforms including macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS, affecting users who rely on Safari for web browsing activities. Organizations with Apple device fleets face significant risk as this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain full system control, potentially leading to data breaches, persistent access, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability's exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Apple devices are prevalent and may contain sensitive corporate information. Security teams must consider the potential for this vulnerability to be used in targeted attacks against high-value targets, as the arbitrary code execution capability provides attackers with extensive control over affected systems. The widespread nature of Safari usage across Apple platforms means that the attack surface is extensive, with potential for mass exploitation through web-based campaigns.
The fix for this vulnerability was implemented through enhanced input validation mechanisms that properly sanitize web content before processing. Apple's security updates address the root cause by strengthening memory management routines and improving validation checks within the browser's rendering engine. The mitigation strategy involves updating to the patched versions of Safari 16.2, tvOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS 16.2, and iPadOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, which incorporate defensive programming measures to prevent the memory corruption conditions that enabled exploitation. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected Apple platforms. Additional mitigations include implementing web content filtering solutions, restricting access to untrusted web content, and monitoring for suspicious browser behavior. Security professionals should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation approach aligns with industry best practices for memory safety vulnerabilities and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring that web content processing operations are properly validated and constrained. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and memory safety in browser security implementations, as documented in various security frameworks including those referenced in CWE classifications for memory corruption issues.