CVE-2016-4654 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
IOMobileFrameBuffer in Apple iOS before 9.3.4 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4654 resides within the IOMobileFrameBuffer component of Apple iOS operating systems prior to version 9.3.4. This component serves as a critical interface for managing display frame buffers on mobile devices, handling the low-level graphics rendering operations that enable the user interface to function properly. The flaw represents a significant security weakness that affects the fundamental graphics processing capabilities of iOS devices, potentially allowing malicious actors to gain elevated privileges or disrupt system operations.
This vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that occurs when the IOMobileFrameBuffer processes malformed input from crafted applications. The technical nature of the flaw involves improper validation of frame buffer parameters and memory management operations within the kernel-level graphics subsystem. Attackers can exploit this weakness by developing malicious applications that manipulate the frame buffer interface in ways that trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. These weaknesses create opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries that protect the operating system from malicious interference.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4654 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute code within the privileged kernel context, potentially enabling them to install persistent malware, access sensitive user data, modify system configurations, or establish backdoor access to affected devices. The implications for mobile device security are particularly severe given that iOS devices are frequently targeted by sophisticated threat actors seeking to exploit mobile platform weaknesses. The vulnerability affects all iOS devices running versions prior to 9.3.4, including iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches, making it a widespread concern across Apple's mobile ecosystem. This type of privilege escalation vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," and T1059, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers may use the elevated privileges to execute additional malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to iOS version 9.3.4 or later, which contains patches specifically addressing the memory corruption issues in IOMobileFrameBuffer. Organizations and individuals should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected devices receive the security updates promptly. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications that might exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to avoid potential compatibility issues with existing applications or system configurations. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around graphics processing and memory management operations within the iOS kernel.