CVE-2016-7762 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.2 is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component, which allows XSS attacks against Safari.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7762 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that specifically impacts iOS versions prior to 10.2. This security weakness exists within the core web browsing functionality of affected Apple devices, creating a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized code within the context of Safari browser. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes certain web content, particularly when handling specific input parameters that should be properly sanitized before being rendered to end users.
WebKit's implementation contains a code execution vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that are subsequently rendered by Safari. This occurs when the browser fails to adequately validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms that typically protect against XSS attacks, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple web applications and services. The flaw specifically manifests when WebKit encounters certain combinations of HTML, JavaScript, or other scripting elements that trigger improper content handling within the browser's rendering pipeline. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged for session hijacking, data theft, and further escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be exploited to conduct sophisticated attacks against iOS users who are browsing compromised websites or receiving malicious content through various delivery mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this flaw to steal cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive information from users who are authenticated to web applications. The vulnerability affects all iOS devices running versions before 10.2, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch models, creating a widespread exposure across Apple's mobile user base. Mobile users are particularly vulnerable as they often access sensitive applications and services through Safari, making this attack vector especially dangerous for corporate users and individuals handling confidential data. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete browser compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code and potentially gain access to the underlying device's file system or network resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7762 primarily focus on immediate system updates and user awareness measures. Apple addressed this vulnerability through iOS 10.2 update, which included patches to WebKit's input validation mechanisms and improved sanitization routines for dynamic content. Organizations should implement mandatory update policies for all iOS devices within their environment, ensuring that all affected systems receive the necessary security patches. Network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions and content security policies to reduce exposure to malicious websites. Users should be educated about the importance of avoiding suspicious websites, particularly those that may host malicious content designed to exploit this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include enabling automatic updates where possible, implementing browser security extensions, and maintaining regular security audits of web applications to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web-based attack vector under the technique of code injection, specifically targeting browser security boundaries and highlighting the need for robust input validation across all web rendering components.