CVE-2016-4765 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit in Apple iOS before 10, tvOS before 10, iTunes before 12.5.1 on Windows, and Safari 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-2016-4759, CVE-2016-4766, CVE-2016-4767, and CVE-2016-4768.
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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 views, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that enables remote code execution on affected systems. The vulnerability manifests when WebKit processes maliciously crafted web content, specifically through improper memory management during web page rendering operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content on compromised servers or through social engineering campaigns that lure victims to visit malicious websites. The flaw occurs in the browser's handling of specific JavaScript objects or DOM elements, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS versions prior to 10.0, tvOS versions prior to 10.0, Windows versions of iTunes prior to 12.5.1, and Safari versions prior to 10.0, demonstrating the widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses buffer overflow vulnerabilities in heap-based data structures. The flaw operates through a memory corruption mechanism that allows attackers to manipulate heap memory layout and execute malicious code directly within the browser process. This particular vulnerability is distinct from other related issues such as CVE-2016-4759, CVE-2016-4766, CVE-2016-4767, and CVE-2016-4768, indicating that it represents a separate code path or memory handling issue within the WebKit engine. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it suitable for drive-by download attacks and automated exploitation campaigns. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting specific JavaScript or HTML content that triggers the memory corruption during page rendering, potentially allowing attackers to bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to enterprise and individual users alike, as it enables attackers to gain complete control over affected systems without requiring local access or user interaction beyond browsing to malicious sites. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers can install malware, steal sensitive data, establish persistent backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within networks. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Apple platforms including mobile devices, desktop applications, and set-top boxes creates an extensive attack surface that security teams must address. Organizations running affected versions of Apple software face heightened risk of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where users frequently browse the internet or access untrusted websites. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments, making it a critical concern for security operations teams.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate software updates and patches provided by Apple, which address the underlying memory corruption issue through code modifications and memory management improvements. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the latest iOS, tvOS, iTunes, and Safari updates to remediate the vulnerability, as Apple typically provides security updates that fix such memory corruption issues through improved memory validation and heap management. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, enabling browser security features such as sandboxing and content restrictions, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious web traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software updated. Organizations may need to consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where users might inadvertently access malicious content. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that organizations must treat it with high priority in their vulnerability management processes, as it can lead to complete system compromise without requiring physical access or complex attack vectors.