CVE-2016-1842 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
MapKit in Apple iOS before 9.3.2, OS X before 10.11.5, and watchOS before 2.2.1 does not use HTTPS for shared links, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network for HTTP traffic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1842 affects Apple's MapKit framework across multiple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 9.3.2, macOS versions before 10.11.5, and watchOS versions before 2.2.1. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the implementation of secure communication protocols within Apple's mapping services. The issue stems from MapKit's failure to enforce encrypted HTTPS connections when sharing map links, instead defaulting to unencrypted HTTP transmission. This design oversight creates a significant attack surface that exposes users to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks and network sniffing operations. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic practices and inadequate transport layer security, which are commonly classified as CWE-319 - Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when users share map locations or routes through MapKit's built-in sharing functionality. When the application transmits these shared links over the network, it does so using HTTP instead of the more secure HTTPS protocol. This means that any network traffic interceptor can capture and analyze the transmitted data, potentially exposing sensitive location information, user coordinates, and other mapping-related data. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors. Network administrators and security professionals can easily leverage this vulnerability through standard packet capture tools to monitor and extract sensitive mapping data from wireless networks or compromised network segments.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1842 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential privacy violations and location-based security risks. Attackers who successfully intercept HTTP traffic can gain access to detailed user location data, which could be used for stalking, social engineering, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on MapKit for business operations, potentially exposing corporate locations, employee movements, and sensitive route information. This weakness particularly impacts users in public Wi-Fi environments where network traffic interception is more feasible, and it represents a significant concern for users who share sensitive location data through Apple's mapping ecosystem. The vulnerability is categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the Credential Access and Defense Evasion tactics, specifically targeting the T1041 - Exfiltration Over C2 Channel and T1566 - Phishing for Information techniques.
Organizations and users can mitigate this vulnerability through several approaches that align with established cybersecurity best practices. The primary remediation involves updating to the patched versions of Apple's operating systems where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper implementation of HTTPS for all shared links. System administrators should enforce mandatory security policies that require encrypted communication channels and implement network monitoring to detect and alert on cleartext HTTP traffic. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following the principle of least privilege and secure by default configurations, which are fundamental concepts in both NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001 standards. Additionally, network segmentation and the deployment of intrusion detection systems can provide layered protection against exploitation attempts, while user education about the risks of sharing sensitive information over unencrypted connections remains crucial for overall security posture improvement.