CVE-2016-1724 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iOS before 9.2.1, Safari before 9.0.3, and tvOS before 9.1.1, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1727.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2022
This vulnerability exists within WebKit, the rendering engine that powers Apple's Safari browser and iOS web applications. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that can be exploited through maliciously crafted web content, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS versions prior to 9.2.1, Safari versions before 9.0.3, and tvOS versions before 9.1.1, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability that could allow attackers to bypass security measures and gain unauthorized access to affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption within WebKit's handling of web content, specifically in how the browser processes certain web elements or JavaScript code. This type of flaw typically occurs when the browser fails to properly validate or sanitize input data, leading to buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger these memory corruption conditions when loaded in the vulnerable browser, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common precursors to remote code execution exploits. The fact that this vulnerability is separate from CVE-2016-1727 indicates it represents a distinct code path or memory handling issue within the WebKit engine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations and individuals using affected Apple platforms. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, monitor user activities, or take complete control of affected devices. The remote nature of the attack means that users do not need to download or execute anything beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly insidious. This vulnerability could be leveraged in phishing campaigns, drive-by download attacks, or as part of larger attack chains where initial access is gained through web-based exploitation. The widespread adoption of iOS and Safari across mobile and desktop environments means that the potential attack surface is extensive, with millions of devices potentially at risk.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to the patched versions of their affected Apple platforms. Apple's security updates typically include patches that address memory corruption vulnerabilities through improved input validation, enhanced memory management, and additional security checks within the WebKit engine. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider temporary network restrictions or web filtering solutions until full patches are deployed. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest it may be targeted by advanced persistent threat groups or automated exploit kits, making proactive defense measures essential. Security teams should monitor threat intelligence feeds for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that their incident response procedures include steps for handling browser-based exploits. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.