CVE-2016-4589 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit 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, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4622, CVE-2016-4623, and CVE-2016-4624.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2022
This vulnerability exists within the WebKit rendering engine component of Apple's mobile and desktop operating systems, specifically affecting iOS versions prior to 9.3.3 Safari versions prior to 9.1.2, and tvOS versions prior to 9.2.2. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that can be exploited through maliciously crafted web content, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption flaws that are particularly dangerous due to their potential for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation within WebKit's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Attackers can craft specific web pages containing malicious JavaScript or HTML elements that trigger memory corruption when processed by the affected WebKit versions. This typically occurs during the parsing of complex web content or when executing certain JavaScript operations that manipulate memory structures in unexpected ways. The flaw is categorized as a heap overflow vulnerability, where attackers can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which represents a fundamental memory management error that has been a persistent issue in web browsers and applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to gain complete control over affected devices without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for widespread exploitation. The vulnerability affects not only mobile devices but also desktop systems running affected Safari versions, creating a broad attack surface. Organizations and individuals using affected Apple products are at risk of data theft, system compromise, and potential surveillance activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate installation of the security updates provided by Apple, which address the memory corruption flaws in the WebKit engine. Users should ensure their systems are updated to iOS 9.3.3, Safari 9.1.2, or tvOS 9.2.2 respectively, as these versions contain patches that resolve the underlying memory management issues. Network administrators should implement web filtering solutions and browser security policies to limit exposure to malicious websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping software updated and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it allows for code execution and potential privilege elevation. Security professionals should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and monitoring for suspicious network activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for robust memory safety practices in browser engines and the importance of regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.