CVE-2016-4702 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
Audio in Apple iOS before 10, OS X before 10.12, tvOS before 10, and watchOS before 3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4702 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 10, OS X versions before 10.12, tvOS versions before 10, and watchOS versions before 3. This vulnerability specifically impacts the audio processing components of these systems, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution or denial of service attacks through unspecified attack vectors. The flaw resides within the audio handling mechanisms that process multimedia content, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate audio data streams in ways that could compromise system integrity and stability. The vulnerability's impact extends across Apple's ecosystem, affecting devices ranging from smartphones and tablets to desktop computers and wearable devices, making it particularly concerning for widespread exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption issues within the audio processing subsystem, which can be triggered through malformed audio data or maliciously crafted media files. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially designed audio content that, when processed by the affected systems, causes memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. This type of vulnerability typically stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the audio processing libraries, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layouts or execute code within the context of audio processing services. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack surfaces could potentially be exploited, including network-based audio streaming, file-based media processing, or even social engineering through malicious audio attachments.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4702 is significant given the widespread use of affected Apple devices across enterprise and consumer environments. Organizations relying on Apple products for communication, media processing, and general computing operations face potential risks of unauthorized access, data breaches, or service disruptions. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without physical access, making it particularly dangerous in corporate networks where audio streaming services or media file sharing might be prevalent. System administrators and security professionals must consider the implications of this vulnerability when assessing risk profiles, particularly in environments where Apple devices are extensively used for business operations or contain sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches and updates for all affected operating systems, as well as implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious audio-related traffic patterns. Organizations should also consider restricting audio file downloads and implementing strict content filtering mechanisms for media processing services. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may also relate to CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged through techniques such as T1059 for code execution and T1499 for denial of service, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistence or escalate privileges within affected systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may emerge in multimedia processing components.