CVE-2016-4582 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Apple iOS before 9.3.3, OS X before 10.11.6, tvOS before 9.2.2, and watchOS before 2.2.2 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1863 and CVE-2016-4653.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical kernel-level flaw affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. The issue stems from unspecified vectors within the kernel that enable local attackers to either escalate privileges or induce memory corruption leading to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to the specified patches, with iOS affected before 9.3.3, macOS before 10.11.6, tvOS before 9.2.2, and watchOS before 2.2.2. Unlike related vulnerabilities CVE-2016-1863 and CVE-2016-4653, this flaw operates through distinct mechanisms but shares the same privilege escalation and denial of service attack surface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies within the kernel's memory management and privilege handling systems where unspecified vectors create opportunities for exploitation. Kernel vulnerabilities of this type typically involve improper input validation, buffer overflows, or race conditions that allow local users to manipulate kernel memory structures. The memory corruption aspect suggests that the vulnerability may involve heap or stack corruption, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges or cause system crashes through memory corruption. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the operating system's core security model and can undermine the entire system integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations and individual users running affected Apple systems. Local privilege escalation capabilities mean that any user with access to the system can potentially gain administrative privileges, leading to complete system compromise. The denial of service component can cause system instability and crashes, potentially affecting critical business operations or personal device functionality. Given Apple's widespread adoption across enterprise and consumer environments, the potential for widespread impact is considerable. The vulnerability's presence in multiple operating systems increases the attack surface and complicates remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems to the specified updated versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Apple devices receive updates promptly. System administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel extension restrictions and system integrity protection measures. The vulnerability's nature aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory corruption vulnerabilities, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion. Regular security assessments and monitoring for anomalous system behavior should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts.