CVE-2016-1828 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Apple iOS before 9.3.2, OS X before 10.11.5, tvOS before 9.2.1, and watchOS before 2.2.1 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-2016-1827, CVE-2016-1829, and CVE-2016-1830.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical kernel-level memory corruption flaw affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS 9.3.1 and earlier, OS X 10.11.4 and earlier, tvOS 9.2.0 and earlier, and watchOS 2.2.0 and earlier. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the kernel space, allowing malicious applications to exploit memory corruption conditions that could result in arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges or system-wide denial of service. The flaw specifically manifests when a crafted application attempts to manipulate kernel memory structures through improper input validation or memory management operations. This vulnerability operates at the most privileged level of the operating system where kernel code executes with full system access, making it particularly dangerous as successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption mechanisms that can be triggered through malicious application code designed to exploit kernel memory management functions. Attackers can craft applications that manipulate kernel data structures or memory mappings in ways that cause the kernel to execute unintended code paths or corrupt critical system memory regions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions, where memory allocated to kernel processes becomes corrupted or improperly managed. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-119 category of "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer" and aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and kernel-mode exploitation. The memory corruption typically occurs during kernel memory allocation, deallocation, or access operations where proper bounds checking fails to validate input parameters or memory access patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1828 extends beyond simple system instability to represent a severe threat to device security and user privacy. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively bypassing all operating system security controls and access restrictions. This capability allows for complete system compromise where attackers can install persistent backdoors, extract sensitive data, modify system files, or disable security features entirely. The vulnerability affects all supported Apple devices running the affected operating system versions, creating a widespread attack surface across mobile, desktop, and embedded platforms. Organizations and users face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and potential surveillance capabilities when devices remain unpatched. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where device management and security policies may be compromised, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access to corporate networks through infected devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of Apple's security patches and updates for all affected operating system versions. System administrators should prioritize updating all devices to the latest supported versions including iOS 9.3.2, OS X 10.11.5, tvOS 9.2.1, and watchOS 2.2.1. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all devices receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include network monitoring for suspicious application behavior, implementation of application whitelisting policies, and enhanced security awareness training for users. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel-level security controls and proper memory management practices in operating system design. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for unpatched systems running affected software versions to prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory corruption vulnerability.