CVE-2016-1755 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Apple iOS before 9.3, OS X before 10.11.4, tvOS before 9.2, and watchOS before 2.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1754.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical kernel-level memory corruption flaw affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 9.3, macOS versions before 10.11.4, tvOS before 9.2, and watchOS before 2.2. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the kernel's memory management subsystem, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate kernel memory structures through malicious applications. The vulnerability operates at the core level of the operating system where privilege escalation opportunities exist, allowing unprivileged code execution to potentially elevate to kernel-level privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation involves heap corruption mechanisms that enable attackers to overwrite critical kernel data structures. The memory corruption occurs when the kernel processes malformed input from crafted applications, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be exploited for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw demonstrates a classic privilege escalation vector where user-mode applications can manipulate kernel memory through improper bounds checking and memory allocation routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively bypassing all user-level security controls and access restrictions. This privilege escalation allows for complete system control including the ability to install malicious software, modify system files, access encrypted data, and potentially persist across reboots. The memory corruption aspect creates instability that can manifest as system crashes or hangs, but more critically enables attackers to overwrite kernel function pointers, return addresses, or other critical control structures. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to device integrity and user privacy, as it allows attackers to bypass the fundamental security model that separates user applications from the kernel. The exploitation requires only a malicious application to be installed and executed, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly install compromised software from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from Apple to address the underlying kernel memory management issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability exists in multiple operating system versions across different device types. The recommended approach involves deploying the official security updates released by Apple that correct the kernel memory handling routines and implement proper bounds checking mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent installation and execution of untrusted applications that could potentially exploit this vulnerability. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious application behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, though the vulnerability itself operates at the kernel level making detection challenging. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the kernel-level execution environment where defensive measures are more limited. Organizations should also consider implementing device encryption and access controls to limit the impact should exploitation occur, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify any remaining vulnerabilities in their environments.