CVE-2016-7579 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.1 is affected. macOS before 10.12.1 is affected. tvOS before 10.0.1 is affected. The issue involves the "CFNetwork Proxies" component, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof a proxy password authentication requirement and obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7579 represents a significant security flaw within Apple's networking infrastructure affecting multiple operating systems including iOS, macOS, and tvOS. This issue resides within the CFNetwork Proxies component, which serves as a fundamental networking framework responsible for handling proxy configurations and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the proxy password authentication process, creating a critical weakness that enables malicious actors to exploit the system's trust mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly validate proxy authentication requests, allowing attackers to manipulate the authentication flow and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive network resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of proxy authentication responses within the CFNetwork framework. When users connect to networks requiring proxy authentication, the system typically prompts for credentials and validates them through established protocols. However, the flaw allows attackers to intercept or manipulate these authentication exchanges, effectively spoofing the proxy password authentication requirement. This manipulation enables attackers to obtain sensitive information that would normally be protected by proper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it operates at the network protocol level, affecting how systems handle proxy connections and authentication. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, potentially intercepting and modifying network traffic between clients and proxy servers. The flaw essentially undermines the trust model that should exist between network clients and proxy authentication systems, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure and potential system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7579 extends beyond simple information disclosure, representing a substantial threat to enterprise security and user privacy. Organizations relying on proxy-based network access control mechanisms face elevated risk of unauthorized access to internal resources when systems are running vulnerable versions of Apple's operating systems. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where network security depends on proper proxy authentication, such as corporate networks, educational institutions, and government agencies. Attackers exploiting this weakness can potentially access sensitive data, monitor network communications, and establish persistent access points within networks. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, and tvOS creates widespread exposure across various device types, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with diverse Apple device ecosystems. This cross-platform nature of the vulnerability means that security measures implemented on one device type may not provide adequate protection for others, complicating overall security management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7579 primarily focus on updating affected systems to patched versions of Apple's operating systems. Apple released updates for iOS 10.1, macOS 10.12.1, and tvOS 10.0.1 that address this specific vulnerability through enhanced validation of proxy authentication responses. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these security patches across all affected Apple devices within their networks. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring measures to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly around proxy authentication events and unusual network traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and relates to ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and network sniffing. Security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and additional authentication layers as defensive measures, though the primary recommendation remains timely patch deployment. Organizations with legacy systems or restricted update capabilities should conduct thorough risk assessments and consider alternative network access controls until full patch deployment is achieved. Regular security auditing of network proxy configurations and authentication mechanisms becomes essential to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.