CVE-2016-4708 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
CFNetwork in Apple iOS before 10, OS X before 10.12, tvOS before 10, and watchOS before 3 misparses the Set-Cookie header, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted HTTP response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4708 represents a critical flaw in Apple's CFNetwork framework that affects multiple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 10, OS X versions before 10.12, tvOS versions before 10, and watchOS versions before 3. This security weakness stems from improper parsing of HTTP Set-Cookie headers, creating a significant avenue for attackers to exploit sensitive information disclosure. The flaw specifically resides in how the CFNetwork component processes HTTP responses, particularly when handling cookie-related headers that are essential for maintaining session state and user authentication across web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through a parsing error in the CFNetwork library that fails to correctly interpret the Set-Cookie header format. When a malicious server crafts an HTTP response containing specially formatted Set-Cookie headers, the flawed parsing mechanism can cause the system to mishandle cookie data, potentially leading to information leakage. This misparsing behavior allows attackers to extract sensitive data that should remain protected within cookie values, including session identifiers, authentication tokens, or other confidential information that web applications rely upon for maintaining user sessions and security boundaries. The issue falls under the category of improper input validation and parsing errors, which aligns with CWE-20, representing a fundamental weakness in input handling that can lead to various security implications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4708 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that can compromise user privacy and system security. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially intercept and manipulate session cookies, leading to session hijacking, unauthorized access to user accounts, or privilege escalation within web applications. The widespread deployment of affected operating systems means that numerous devices and applications could be vulnerable, making this a significant concern for organizations relying on Apple platforms for their digital infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects web browsing activities and applications that depend on proper cookie handling for maintaining secure user sessions, creating potential risks for financial transactions, personal data access, and corporate network security.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigation strategies including prompt deployment of Apple's security updates and patches that address the CFNetwork parsing issue. Organizations should also consider network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous HTTP response patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure parsing mechanisms in network libraries, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1190 for Proxying and T1212 for Exploitation for Credential Access. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while regular security assessments should verify that all affected systems have been properly updated. The incident underscores the necessity of continuous security monitoring and timely patch management processes to prevent exploitation of similar parsing vulnerabilities in network components.