CVE-2016-1802 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
CCCrypt in CommonCrypto in Apple iOS before 9.3.2, OS X before 10.11.5, tvOS before 9.2.1, and watchOS before 2.2.1 mishandles return values during key-length calculations, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1802 resides within the CommonCrypto framework of Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting iOS versions prior to 9.3.2, OS X versions prior to 10.11.5, tvOS versions prior to 9.2.1, and watchOS versions prior to 2.2.1. This issue stems from improper handling of return values during cryptographic key-length calculations, creating a potential information disclosure vulnerability that could be exploited by malicious applications. The flaw exists in the CCCrypt function which is part of the cryptographic services provided by the CommonCrypto library, making it a critical component in the security infrastructure of these platforms.
The technical implementation flaw involves the cryptographic key-length calculation process where the system fails to properly validate or handle return values from underlying cryptographic operations. When an application attempts to perform encryption or decryption operations using the CommonCrypto framework, the system calculates appropriate key lengths for the cryptographic algorithms being employed. However, due to insufficient error handling in the return value management, the system may inadvertently expose sensitive cryptographic information or allow attackers to infer details about the cryptographic keys or internal states. This improper return value handling creates a pathway for attackers to potentially reconstruct or deduce sensitive information through carefully crafted applications that exploit this specific weakness in the key-length calculation logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to gain insights into cryptographic key structures or internal system states that should remain confidential. An attacker with a crafted malicious application could potentially exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive information that might be used to compromise the security of cryptographic operations, potentially leading to more severe consequences including unauthorized data access or decryption of protected content. The vulnerability affects all Apple operating systems that rely on the CommonCrypto framework for their cryptographic implementations, creating a widespread security concern across multiple device categories including mobile devices, desktop computers, and media devices. This weakness could be particularly dangerous in environments where sensitive data is processed or stored, as it provides an avenue for attackers to extract information that should remain protected by cryptographic means.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to the patched versions of the affected operating systems, as Apple released security updates that addressed the improper return value handling in the CommonCrypto framework. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive the necessary updates, particularly given the widespread nature of the vulnerability across multiple Apple platforms. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potentially malicious applications that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability, and system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-248, which describes an unchecked return value, and represents a specific implementation weakness in cryptographic libraries that could be exploited by adversaries following techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under credential access and defense evasion tactics. This particular flaw demonstrates the importance of proper error handling in cryptographic implementations and serves as a reminder of the critical security implications that can arise from seemingly minor implementation details in security-sensitive code.