CVE-2016-1753 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the kernel in Apple iOS before 9.3, OS X before 10.11.4, tvOS before 9.2, and watchOS before 2.2 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1753 represents a critical integer overflow issue affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 9.3, OS X versions before 10.11.4, tvOS versions before 9.2, and watchOS versions before 2.2. This flaw exists within the kernel components of these systems and demonstrates the classic pattern of integer arithmetic overflow that can lead to severe security consequences. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems where arithmetic operations produce results that exceed the maximum value representable by the data type. The affected kernel components likely handle memory management, process scheduling, or system call processing where integer calculations are performed to determine buffer sizes, array indices, or memory allocation parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious application presents crafted inputs that cause integer overflows during kernel processing. These overflows can result in buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions that allow attackers to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context, meaning that malicious applications can leverage this flaw to bypass security boundaries and operate with system-level privileges. This represents a significant escalation from regular user-level applications to kernel-level execution, which is typically protected by strict access controls and privilege separation mechanisms. The attack vector involves a crafted application that carefully constructs inputs to trigger the integer overflow conditions within kernel memory management routines, potentially manipulating memory layout or data structures that govern system security policies.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe threat landscape where attackers can compromise entire operating systems through seemingly benign applications. The exploitation capability allows for complete system compromise, enabling attackers to install malicious software, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The affected platforms represent critical consumer and enterprise devices including mobile phones, desktop computers, set-top boxes, and wearable devices, making the potential impact widespread across multiple device categories. The vulnerability's presence in kernel space means that successful exploitation can bypass traditional security controls such as sandboxing, code signing, and privilege enforcement mechanisms that normally protect against malicious software. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through legitimate application distribution channels, making it difficult to detect and prevent through conventional security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1753 primarily focus on applying official security patches provided by Apple, which would address the integer overflow conditions in kernel components. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected devices to the patched versions, particularly in enterprise environments where device management and deployment automation can ensure comprehensive coverage. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Local Port Knocking" and related privilege escalation methods that exploit kernel vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement robust patch management processes and maintain up-to-date security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, though these measures cannot fully compensate for the kernel-level privilege escalation that this vulnerability enables. Regular security assessments of operating systems should include verification of patch levels and monitoring for indicators of compromise that might suggest exploitation attempts against this class of vulnerability.