CVE-2016-4767 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-2016-4765, CVE-2016-4766, and CVE-2016-4768.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2022
This vulnerability resides within Apple's WebKit rendering engine, which serves as the core component powering Safari browsers across iOS, tvOS, and Windows iTunes applications. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that can be exploited through maliciously crafted web content, enabling remote code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS versions prior to 10, tvOS versions prior to 10, Windows versions of iTunes prior to 12.5.1, and Safari browsers before version 10. This cross-platform impact underscores the severity and widespread nature of the flaw, as it affects different operating systems and application environments that all rely on the same underlying WebKit engine. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages memory corruption techniques, allowing attackers to manipulate heap memory structures and potentially gain unauthorized code execution privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves specific memory management flaws within WebKit's JavaScript engine and HTML rendering components. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger buffer overflows or use after free conditions when processing certain web content elements. These memory corruption issues typically arise from inadequate bounds checking or improper memory deallocation during web page rendering processes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities, where attackers can manipulate memory layout to execute arbitrary code. This aligns with common CWE classifications for memory corruption vulnerabilities, specifically CWE-122 and CWE-787, which address heap-based buffer overflows and out-of-bounds writes respectively.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass significant security risks for users across multiple Apple platforms. Organizations and individuals utilizing affected versions of Apple software face potential compromise through drive-by attacks, where simply visiting a malicious website could result in complete system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in iTunes on Windows systems creates additional attack surface for enterprise environments, as Windows users may encounter the exploit through various web browsing scenarios. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The denial of service aspect means that even successful exploitation without code execution can render affected systems unusable, creating availability issues that impact productivity and business continuity. This vulnerability exemplifies the critical nature of browser-based exploits, as they represent one of the most common attack vectors for compromising user systems and can be delivered through various channels including phishing, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Apple software versions, with particular emphasis on upgrading to the latest stable releases that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these patches across all affected platforms including iOS devices, tvOS systems, Windows iTunes installations, and Safari browser versions. Network administrators can implement additional protective measures such as web filtering solutions and browser security extensions that can help detect and block malicious content before it reaches vulnerable systems. The implementation of sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, though these may not fully protect against sophisticated exploitation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software updated. Monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns and web requests that may indicate exploitation attempts can provide early warning signs of compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how single vulnerabilities can affect multiple platforms within the same software ecosystem, making comprehensive patch management essential for organizational security posture.