CVE-2016-4584 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
The WebKit Page Loading implementation in Apple iOS before 9.3.3, Safari before 9.1.2, and tvOS before 9.2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4584 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the WebKit rendering engine's page loading implementation across multiple Apple platforms. This vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 9.3.3, Safari versions prior to 9.1.2, and tvOS versions prior to 9.2.2, creating a widespread attack surface that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The flaw exists in how WebKit processes certain web page elements during the loading phase, specifically when handling malformed or crafted web content that triggers unexpected memory behavior. This issue falls under the CWE-119 category of "Improper Access to Memory Location" and represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious website delivers crafted content that causes the WebKit engine to improperly handle memory allocation and deallocation during page rendering. Attackers can leverage this flaw by constructing web pages with specific memory patterns that trigger heap corruption, potentially leading to memory overwrite conditions or use-after-free scenarios. The vulnerability's remote nature means that users do not need to interact with malicious content directly, as simply visiting a compromised website can trigger the exploit. This type of attack maps to ATT&CK technique T1203 "Exploitation for Client Execution" and demonstrates how browser-based vulnerabilities can be weaponized for remote code execution. The memory corruption aspect of this flaw creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow through stack or heap overwrite techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4584 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. When an attacker achieves arbitrary code execution through this vulnerability, they gain the ability to install malicious software, access sensitive user data, or establish persistent backdoors on affected devices. The widespread adoption of affected Apple platforms means that this vulnerability could potentially impact millions of users across multiple device categories including smartphones, tablets, and television devices. Organizations and individuals using affected versions of Apple software face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements. The memory corruption nature of the flaw makes detection difficult, as the system behavior may appear normal until the exploit is triggered, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Apple devices are commonly used.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4584 primarily focus on immediate system updates and security hardening measures. The most effective solution involves updating to the patched versions of iOS 9.3.3, Safari 9.1.2, and tvOS 9.2.2, which contain memory safety improvements and code modifications that prevent the exploitation conditions. Network administrators should implement web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains and consider deploying sandboxing technologies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Browser security configurations should include enabling automatic updates for web content and implementing additional security layers such as Content Security Policy headers. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected software versions and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates how browser-based memory corruption flaws can be leveraged for significant operational impact.