Mr. Miller drew Apple’s ire when he submitted an app to Apple’s iOS App Store as part of his proof of concept testing for a security flaw he had discovered. That app was approved by Apple, but then Mr. Miller was able to download unsigned code from his own server and then execute that code on his iPhone.
He did all this without Apple’s knowledge, and the company kicked him out of its developer program, despite the fact that the researcher is responsible for finding (and reporting to Apple) many security flaws in Apple’s software over the years.
In any event, that same flaw appears to be one of the ones fixed in this update. Apple’s security patch notes include this entry:
- Kernel
Available for: iOS 3.0 through 5.0 for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, iOS 3.1 through 5.0 for iPod touch (3rd generation) and later, iOS 3.2 through 5.0 for iPad, iOS 4.3 through 5.0 for iPad 2
Impact: An application may execute unsigned code
Description: A logic error existed in the mmap system call’s checking of valid flag combinations. This issue may lead to a bypass of codesigning checks. This issue does not affect devices running iOS prior to version 4.3.CVE-ID
CVE-2011-3442 : Charlie Miller of Accuvant Labs
Other security fixes in this update include:
- CFNetwork
Available for: iOS 3.0 through 5.0 for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, iOS 3.1 through 5.0 for iPod touch (3rd generation) and later, iOS 3.2 through 5.0 for iPad, iOS 4.3 through 5.0 for iPad 2
Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted website may lead to the disclosure of sensitive information
Description: An issue existed in CFNetwork’s handling of maliciously crafted URLs. When accessing a maliciously crafted HTTP or HTTPS URL, CFNetwork could navigate to an incorrect server.CVE-ID
CVE-2011-3246 : Erling Ellingsen of Facebook
- CoreGraphics
Available for: iOS 3.0 through 5.0 for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, iOS 3.1 through 5.0 for iPod touch (3rd generation) and later, iOS 3.2 through 5.0 for iPad, iOS 4.3 through 5.0 for iPad 2
Impact: Viewing a document containing a maliciously crafted font may lead to arbitrary code execution
Description: Multiple memory corruption issues existed in FreeType, the most serious of which may lead to arbitrary code execution when processing a maliciously crafted font.CVE-ID
CVE-2011-3439 : Apple
- Data Security
Available for: iOS 3.0 through 5.0 for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, iOS 3.1 through 5.0 for iPod touch (3rd generation) and later, iOS 3.2 through 5.0 for iPad, iOS 4.3 through 5.0 for iPad 2
Impact: An attacker with a privileged network position may intercept user credentials or other sensitive information
Description: Two certificate authorities in the list of trusted root certificates have independently issued intermediate certificates to DigiCert Malaysia. DigiCert Malaysia has issued certificates with weak keys that it is unable to revoke. An attacker with a privileged network position could intercept user credentials or other sensitive information intended for a site with a certificate issued by DigiCert Malaysia. This issue is addressed by configuring default system trust settings so that DigiCert Malaysia’s certificates are not trusted. We would like to acknowledge Bruce Morton of Entrust, Inc. for reporting this issue. - libinfo
Available for: iOS 3.0 through 5.0 for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, iOS 3.1 through 5.0 for iPod touch (3rd generation) and later, iOS 3.2 through 5.0 for iPad, iOS 4.3 through 5.0 for iPad 2
Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted website may lead to the disclosure of sensitive information
Description: An issue existed in libinfo’s handling of DNS name lookups. When resolving a maliciously crafted hostname, libinfo could return an incorrect result.CVE-ID
CVE-2011-3441 : Erling Ellingsen of Facebook, Per Johansson of Blocket AB
- Passcode Lock
Available for: iOS 4.3 through 5.0 for iPad 2
Impact: A person with physical access to a locked iPad 2 may be able to access some of the user’s data
Description: When a Smart Cover is opened while iPad 2 is confirming power off in the locked state, the iPad does not request a passcode. This allows some access to the iPad, but data protected by Data Protection is inaccessible and apps cannot be launched.CVE-ID
CVE-2011-3440