CVE-2016-1788 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Messages in Apple iOS before 9.3, OS X before 10.11.4, and watchOS before 2.2 does not properly implement a cryptographic protection mechanism, which allows remote attackers to read message attachments via vectors related to duplicate messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1788 represents a critical cryptographic flaw in Apple's messaging systems affecting iOS versions prior to 9.3, OS X versions before 10.11.4, and watchOS versions before 2.2. This weakness specifically targets the implementation of cryptographic protection mechanisms within the messaging framework, creating a pathway for remote attackers to access sensitive message attachments through manipulation of duplicate message handling processes. The flaw stems from insufficient cryptographic safeguards that should have prevented unauthorized access to encrypted message content, particularly when duplicate messages are processed within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the cryptographic protection mechanism that normally ensures message integrity and confidentiality. When duplicate messages are received and processed, the system's cryptographic checks become inadequate, allowing attackers to exploit the gap in protection. This weakness specifically affects the way the operating system handles message duplication scenarios, where the cryptographic keys or encryption contexts may not be properly validated or renewed between duplicate message processing cycles. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and CWE-310, which covers cryptographic issues related to key management and implementation flaws. The attack vector exploits the message processing pipeline where duplicate detection and handling routines fail to maintain proper cryptographic boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple message interception, as it enables attackers to gain access to potentially sensitive information contained within message attachments. This includes documents, images, audio files, and other media that users might consider private or confidential. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness without physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where mobile devices contain corporate or personal sensitive data. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk for users who receive messages from untrusted sources, as the cryptographic protection fails even when messages are processed through normal messaging workflows. This weakness particularly impacts enterprise environments where mobile device security is paramount and compliance requirements mandate strong cryptographic protection for communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1788 require immediate system updates to the patched versions of iOS, OS X, and watchOS where Apple has addressed the cryptographic implementation flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms and requires coordinated remediation across different operating systems. Security administrators should also consider network-level monitoring to detect unusual message processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while implementing additional access controls and encryption measures for sensitive communications. The remediation process should include verification that duplicate message handling routines properly maintain cryptographic contexts and that message attachment processing follows secure cryptographic protocols. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic implementation in messaging systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through phishing and social engineering, as users may unknowingly receive malicious messages that exploit this cryptographic weakness. Organizations should also review their messaging security policies to ensure proper handling of duplicate messages and implement additional security layers beyond the vulnerable cryptographic mechanisms.