CVE-2016-7654 in iCloud
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.2 is affected. Safari before 10.0.2 is affected. iCloud before 6.1 is affected. iTunes before 12.5.4 is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7654 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affected multiple Apple products including iOS versions prior to 10.2, Safari versions before 10.0.2, iCloud versions before 6.1, and iTunes versions before 12.5.4. This vulnerability resides in the WebKit component which is responsible for rendering web content across Apple's ecosystem, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web-based attack vectors. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be triggered through maliciously crafted web content, allowing remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions that result in application crashes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues, which are commonly classified as CWE-121, referring to the use of a non-constant variable as an array index or as a size in a memory allocation call. The flaw specifically impacts how WebKit handles memory allocation and deallocation when processing crafted web content, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully constructed web pages. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring physical access to the target device, making it particularly dangerous in mobile and web browsing contexts where users frequently encounter untrusted content.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7654 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides attackers with the potential to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. This capability enables a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and full system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in WebKit means that any application or service that relies on WebKit for rendering web content becomes a potential target, affecting not just Safari but also other Apple applications that utilize the same rendering engine. The memory corruption aspect creates a particularly dangerous attack surface where attackers can potentially overwrite critical memory locations to gain control over the execution flow of the affected applications.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006, which involves the use of web shells and browser-based attack vectors to execute code on target systems. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability through phishing campaigns, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites that users might visit during normal browsing activities. The impact on Apple's ecosystem is significant as it affects multiple core applications that users depend on daily, potentially creating widespread compromise opportunities across iOS devices, macOS systems, and iCloud services. Organizations and individuals using affected versions of Apple software are particularly vulnerable to targeted attacks that exploit this flaw, making timely patching and mitigation essential.
The remediation approach for CVE-2016-7654 requires immediate implementation of Apple's security updates, including iOS 10.2, Safari 10.0.2, iCloud 6.1, and iTunes 12.5.4 or later versions. System administrators should prioritize patching affected devices and implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include browser hardening measures, web content filtering, and user education about avoiding suspicious websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the risks associated with using outdated software versions in enterprise and personal environments where Apple products are prevalent.