CVE-2016-4730 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple iOS before 10, Safari before 10, and tvOS before 10 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-2016-4611, CVE-2016-4733, CVE-2016-4734, and CVE-2016-4735.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2022
This vulnerability resides within the WebKit rendering engine that powers Apple's Safari browser and iOS web applications. 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. The vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 10.0, Safari versions prior to 10.0, and tvOS versions prior to 10.0, making it a widespread concern across Apple's mobile and television operating systems. Security researchers classified this issue as a critical remote code execution vulnerability that could be leveraged without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine, specifically related to how it handles certain JavaScript objects and their memory allocation patterns. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions when the browser attempts to render or execute specific JavaScript code. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the web browser process, effectively allowing attackers to take control of the affected device. The vulnerability operates at the browser engine level, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation, as it represents a significant threat to user privacy and system integrity across Apple's ecosystem. Mobile device users running vulnerable versions of iOS are at risk of having their personal data compromised, devices infected with malware, or entire systems taken over by attackers. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and television operating systems creates a broad attack surface, potentially enabling attackers to target not just individual users but also organizations that rely on Apple devices for business operations. The fact that this vulnerability operates without requiring user interaction makes it particularly concerning for nation-state actors and advanced persistent threat groups.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to the latest available versions of iOS, Safari, and tvOS where Apple has provided patches addressing the memory corruption issues. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability through suspicious web traffic patterns and ensure that all Apple devices within their environment are updated to versions that contain the security fixes. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures and web content filtering to reduce the risk of exposure to malicious websites. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability relates to CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer, while ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving code injection and privilege escalation through browser exploitation.