CVE-2016-4737 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple iOS before 10, Safari before 10, tvOS before 10, and watchOS before 3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4737 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within WebKit, the rendering engine that powers Apple's Safari browser and iOS web applications. This vulnerability affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 10.0, Safari versions before 10.0, tvOS versions before 10.0, and watchOS versions before 3.0, making it a widespread concern across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw exists in how WebKit processes certain web content, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt service availability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine and rendering components. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected browsers, trigger memory corruption conditions through specific JavaScript or HTML constructs. This memory corruption can manifest as buffer overflows, use-after-free errors, or other memory management flaws that allow attackers to manipulate memory addresses and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the device or any local credentials to carry out attacks, as the malicious payload can be delivered through standard web browsing activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4737 is severe and multifaceted, affecting both individual users and enterprise environments. Users operating affected Apple devices face significant risks including unauthorized data access, persistent backdoor installation, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability's potential for denial of service means that attackers can also cause devices to crash or become unresponsive, disrupting normal operations and potentially leading to data loss. In enterprise settings, this vulnerability could enable attackers to target executives, employees with sensitive information, or critical infrastructure components that rely on Apple devices for operations. The cross-platform nature of the vulnerability means that organizations cannot rely on device type as a protective factor, as any Apple device running the affected software versions remains at risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4737 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. Apple released patches for all affected versions, and system administrators should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected devices. Organizations should implement network-based protections including web filtering solutions that can block known malicious domains and content, though this approach may not prevent all exploitation attempts. Browser hardening measures such as disabling JavaScript for untrusted sites, implementing content security policies, and using sandboxing technologies can provide additional protection layers. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual browser behavior and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1489 for denial of service attacks, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations.