CVE-2016-7759 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10 is affected. The issue involves the "Springboard" component, which allows physically proximate attackers to obtain sensitive information by viewing application snapshots in the Task Switcher.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7759 represents a significant security flaw in Apple's iOS operating system affecting versions prior to iOS 10. This weakness resides within the Springboard component, which serves as the core system interface responsible for managing the home screen, application launching, and task switching functionality. The vulnerability specifically exploits the manner in which the system handles application snapshots within the Task Switcher interface, creating an information disclosure risk that can be leveraged by attackers with physical proximity to affected devices. The Springboard component's design flaw allows unauthorized access to sensitive application data through the visual representation of running applications, effectively compromising the privacy and security of user information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and privilege separation within the iOS task switching mechanism. When users navigate through the Task Switcher interface, the system generates and displays snapshots of currently running applications to facilitate quick switching between tasks. However, the Springboard component fails to properly enforce security boundaries between these application snapshots and the underlying system processes. This oversight creates a scenario where an attacker with physical access to the device can observe and potentially extract sensitive information from these application snapshots without proper authentication or authorization. The flaw operates at the system interface level rather than exploiting deeper kernel vulnerabilities, making it particularly concerning as it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential privacy violations and data exposure risks. Attackers with physical proximity to target devices can access sensitive information including application data, user interface elements, and potentially confidential content displayed within running applications. This threat vector is particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be left unattended, such as public spaces, offices, or shared work environments where unauthorized individuals might gain access to devices and extract valuable information from application snapshots. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security principle of information isolation and could potentially enable further attacks if the extracted information reveals patterns or data that could be used for more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a classic case of insufficient access control mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign user interface components can become security risk vectors when proper security boundaries are not maintained. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability operates at the application layer and does not require network connectivity or remote exploitation capabilities, making it particularly concerning for physical security environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and information gathering techniques, as attackers can leverage this weakness to collect sensitive data from applications without requiring elevated privileges or system-level access. Organizations should consider this vulnerability when conducting risk assessments for mobile device security and implementing physical security controls for devices running affected iOS versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7759 primarily focus on upgrading to iOS 10 or later versions where Apple has addressed the security flaw through enhanced access controls and proper privilege separation within the Springboard component. System administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of iOS 10 updates across all affected devices to eliminate this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement physical security measures such as device locking mechanisms, automatic screen lock timeouts, and user education regarding the importance of securing devices in public or shared environments. Network administrators may consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce automatic update policies and monitor device security status to ensure compliance with security requirements. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of conducting regular security assessments of mobile operating systems and their interface components to identify potential security gaps that could be exploited by attackers with physical access to devices.