CVE-2012-3743
Description
iOS before 6 allows sandboxed apps to read /var/log files, enabling remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted app.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
iOS before 6 allows sandboxed apps to read /var/log files, enabling remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted app.
Vulnerability
The System Logs implementation in Apple iOS before version 6 does not restrict access to /var/log by sandboxed applications. This allows any app running within the iOS sandbox to read log files, which may contain sensitive information such as user activity or system diagnostics. The vulnerability affects all devices running iOS versions prior to 6, including iPhone 3GS and later, iPod touch (4th generation) and later, and iPad 2 and later [1].
Exploitation
An attacker must first convince a user to install a crafted app that is designed to read log files from /var/log. The app runs within the standard iOS sandbox, but due to the lack of restrictions, it can access the log directory. No additional authentication or network position is required beyond the ability to distribute the malicious app (e.g., via the App Store or enterprise distribution). Once installed, the app can read log entries and exfiltrate the data to a remote server.
Impact
Successful exploitation allows the attacker to obtain sensitive information from the device's log files. This could include user activity logs, system errors, or other data that may be used for further attacks or privacy violations. The impact is limited to information disclosure; the attacker does not gain code execution or elevated privileges beyond the sandbox.
Mitigation
Apple addressed this issue in iOS 6, which was released on September 19, 2012 [1]. Users should update their devices to iOS 6 or later via iTunes. No workaround is available for earlier versions. The vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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
41cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*+ 39 more
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*range: <=5.1.1
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:1.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:1.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:1.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:1.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:1.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:1.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:1.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:1.1.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:1.1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:2.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:2.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:2.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:2.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:2.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- 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:4.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- 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:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:5.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Range: <6
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/2012/Sep/msg00003.htmlnvdVendor Advisory
- support.apple.com/kb/HT5503nvdVendor Advisory
- osvdb.org/85621nvd
- exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/78718nvd
News mentions
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