CVE-2011-3257
Description
The Data Access component in Apple iOS before 5 does not properly handle the existence of multiple user accounts on the same mail server, which allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions in opportunistic circumstances by leveraging a different account's cookie.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Apple iOS before 5 Data Access component fails to isolate cookies for multiple mail accounts on the same server, allowing local users to bypass access restrictions.
Vulnerability
The Data Access component in Apple iOS before version 5 does not properly isolate cookie state when multiple user accounts are configured on the same mail server. This allows cookies from one account to be reused in the context of another account on the same server, bypassing intended access controls [1].
Exploitation
A local user who has access to an iOS device with multiple mail accounts configured on the same server can exploit this flaw by leveraging the cookie of one account when using another account’s session. The attack requires the user to have physical or authorized access to the device and relies on opportunistic conditions where the cookie from a different account is still valid [1].
Impact
Successful exploitation allows the local user to bypass intended access restrictions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to mail data or other resources associated with a different account on the same server. This constitutes a confidentiality breach, as the attacker can read or perform actions on behalf of the victim account without proper authentication [1].
Mitigation
The vulnerability is addressed by upgrading to iOS 5, which introduces proper cookie isolation for multiple accounts on the same mail server. No workarounds are documented. The update is available via iTunes as described in Apple’s security advisory [1].
AI Insight generated on May 24, 2026. Synthesized from this CVE's description and the cited reference URLs; citations are validated against the source bundle.
Affected products
30cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.0:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*+ 28 more
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.0:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1.2:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1.3:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2.1:-:ipad:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0.1:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0.1:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.2.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.2.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.5:-:ipad:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.5:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
- Range: <5
Patches
0No patches discovered yet.
Vulnerability mechanics
AI mechanics synthesis has not run for this CVE yet.
References
4- lists.apple.com/archives/Security-announce/2011//Oct/msg00001.htmlnvdVendor Advisory
- support.apple.com/kb/HT4999nvdVendor Advisory
- osvdb.org/76325nvd
- exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/70553nvd
News mentions
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