CVE-2016-4664 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.1 is affected. tvOS before 10.0.1 is affected. watchOS before 3.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Sandbox Profiles" component, which allows attackers to read photo-directory metadata via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4664 represents a critical sandboxing flaw in Apple's operating systems affecting iOS versions prior to 10.1, tvOS versions prior to 10.0.1, and watchOS versions prior to 3.1. This security weakness resides within the sandbox profiles component, which serves as a fundamental security mechanism designed to isolate applications and prevent unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to bypass sandbox restrictions and access photo directory metadata through carefully crafted malicious applications. This flaw directly contravenes the principle of least privilege that forms the cornerstone of modern application security models and represents a significant deviation from Apple's security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation within the sandbox profile enforcement mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by developing malicious applications that leverage the flawed sandbox implementation to traverse file system boundaries and access metadata from photo directories. The sandbox profiles are supposed to restrict applications to their designated data containers while preventing access to other system resources, but this vulnerability allows unauthorized data exfiltration. The flaw operates at the kernel level where file system access controls are enforced, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to gather sensitive information about user media collections including timestamps, file sizes, and other metadata that could reveal personal patterns and activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4664 extends beyond simple data exposure, as photo directory metadata can reveal significant personal information about users including their daily routines, locations, social connections, and behavioral patterns. This type of information is particularly valuable for threat actors conducting social engineering campaigns or developing targeted attacks. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, Apple TV sets, and Apple Watch devices, creating a substantial attack surface. From an attacker perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-value exploit that can be deployed across multiple device types, making it particularly attractive for malicious actors seeking to gather intelligence about their targets. The vulnerability also demonstrates a failure in Apple's security model where a sandbox bypass can occur in the core system components, potentially leading to more severe consequences if combined with other vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-255, which addresses issues related to credentials management, and represents a sandbox escape that can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1197 for Defense Evasion. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation through sandbox manipulation, enabling attackers to move laterally within the system and access protected resources. The attack vector requires only a malicious application that can be distributed through the App Store or other means, making it particularly dangerous as it can be deployed at scale. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability highlights the complexity of modern sandbox implementations and the challenges of maintaining secure boundaries in operating system architectures. Organizations and individuals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape where sandbox bypasses can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4664 primarily involve immediate system updates to the affected Apple operating system versions, which include iOS 10.1, tvOS 10.0.1, and watchOS 3.1. Users should ensure their devices are updated through official Apple channels to receive the patched sandbox profile enforcement mechanisms. Additional protective measures include implementing strict app review processes for applications downloaded from third-party sources, monitoring for suspicious application behavior, and maintaining regular backups of critical data. Organizations should also consider network-based monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and implement device management policies that enforce automatic updates. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates that even seemingly minor sandboxing flaws can have significant implications for user privacy and system security, reinforcing the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both known and emerging threats in mobile operating system environments.