CVE-2016-7626 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.2 is affected. tvOS before 10.1 is affected. watchOS before 3.1.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Profiles" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted certificate profile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7626 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's mobile operating systems affecting iOS versions prior to 10.2, tvOS versions prior to 10.1, and watchOS versions prior to 3.1.1. This issue specifically targets the Profiles component which is responsible for managing certificate profiles and system configurations on Apple devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory handling within the profile processing mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted certificate profiles. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be triggered when the system processes malformed or specially constructed certificate profile data, leading to unpredictable system behavior and potential code execution capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-787, out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that occur when a program writes data past the end of a buffer. The Profiles component in Apple's operating systems processes certificate profiles without adequate bounds checking, allowing attackers to craft malicious profile data that can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution when the system attempts to process the malformed certificate profile, or alternatively cause a denial of service condition through application crashes. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be executed remotely, meaning attackers do not need physical access to the device or user interaction to trigger the vulnerability. The flaw exploits the trust model that exists within Apple's ecosystem where certificate profiles are expected to be legitimate system components, making it difficult for users to identify malicious payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7626 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable full system compromise. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially leading to complete system takeover. This capability could enable attackers to install malicious applications, access sensitive user data, monitor communications, or establish persistent backdoors on compromised devices. The denial of service aspect of the vulnerability also presents significant operational risks, as it can cause applications to crash repeatedly, rendering devices unusable until the system is restarted or the malicious profile is removed. The widespread nature of affected Apple products means that this vulnerability could potentially impact millions of devices globally, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking large-scale exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability's remote execution capability and the trust placed in certificate profiles by the operating system make this a particularly dangerous flaw that could be weaponized for advanced persistent threats or large-scale malware distribution campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7626 primarily focus on immediate system updates and operational security measures. Apple released security patches in iOS 10.2, tvOS 10.1, and watchOS 3.1.1 that address the memory handling issues within the Profiles component. Organizations and individuals should prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to the latest available versions to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict certificate profile management policies, including disabling unnecessary profile installations and regularly auditing installed profiles. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual certificate profile installation activities, as these could indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates the critical nature of input validation in system components that process external data. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and control through application layer protocols, and T1133 for external remote services, as attackers can leverage the compromised devices for further network infiltration. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can restrict profile installations and provide additional layers of security control for Apple devices in enterprise environments.