CVE-2017-13799 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.1 is affected. macOS before 10.13.1 is affected. tvOS before 11.1 is affected. watchOS before 4.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Kernel" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
This vulnerability resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating systems, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that affects multiple device families including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. The vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the kernel space, creating an avenue for malicious applications to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code with system-level access. This kernel-level flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the operating system's security model, where user-space applications can potentially exploit memory corruption issues to bypass traditional security boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption, specifically manifesting as heap or stack corruption that allows attackers to manipulate kernel memory structures. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119: Improper Access to Memory and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, both of which describe improper memory access that can lead to privilege escalation. The attack vector requires a crafted application that can trigger the memory corruption, typically through malformed inputs or improper parameter handling within kernel functions. This represents a sophisticated exploitation technique that leverages the inherent trust placed in system components to execute malicious code with root privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to achieve persistent system compromise without requiring physical access or additional attack vectors. Once exploited, the malicious application can execute code with kernel privileges, allowing for complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to the specified patches, meaning that users running affected software versions are exposed to potential exploitation. This creates a significant risk for organizations and individuals who have not updated their systems, as the attack surface remains open for exploitation by threat actors.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the kernel-level access to execute arbitrary code and establish persistent access. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious application that triggers the kernel memory corruption, then using the elevated privileges to install additional malware or modify system components. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activity. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and endpoint detection and response solutions to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of timely security updates and the potential consequences of running outdated software versions in enterprise environments where security is paramount.