CVE-2023-40447 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1, watchOS 10.1, iOS 16.7.2 and iPadOS 16.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.1, Safari 17.1, tvOS 17.1. Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2023
This vulnerability represents a memory handling flaw that could potentially enable arbitrary code execution when processing web content. The issue was identified in Apple's web rendering systems and affected multiple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, and Safari. The vulnerability stems from insufficient memory management during web content processing, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code on affected systems. The flaw specifically manifests when browsers or web rendering engines encounter specially crafted web content that triggers improper memory handling mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory allocation and deallocation processes within Apple's web rendering components. When processing web content, the affected systems may encounter malformed or malicious input that causes memory corruption during rendering operations. This memory handling deficiency allows attackers to potentially manipulate memory addresses and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that are commonly categorized under CWE-122 and CWE-416. Attackers could leverage this weakness by delivering malicious web content through various vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements that when rendered trigger the exploitable memory handling code paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across Apple's entire ecosystem including mobile devices, desktop computers, and wearable technology. Systems running affected versions of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, Safari, and tvOS are at risk of being compromised when users visit malicious websites or interact with compromised web content. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread use of Apple devices and the typical user behavior of visiting web pages without considering security implications. Organizations relying on Apple devices for business operations face significant risks including potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability could be exploited in zero-day attacks before patches were released, making it particularly dangerous for enterprises that may not have immediate patch deployment capabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged under technique T1059.001 for command and control operations, and potentially T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation.
Apple's response to this vulnerability involved implementing improved memory handling mechanisms across all affected platforms. The fix was rolled out through multiple software updates including iOS 17.1, iPadOS 17.1, watchOS 10.1, iOS 16.7.2, iPadOS 16.7.2, macOS Sonoma 14.1, Safari 17.1, and tvOS 17.1. These updates addressed the underlying memory management issues by strengthening buffer overflow protections and implementing better memory allocation strategies. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these security updates across all affected systems. Additional mitigations include implementing web content filtering solutions, restricting access to untrusted websites, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and endpoint detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts before they result in successful compromises. The vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security monitoring and timely patch management in maintaining robust cybersecurity postures.