CVE-2017-13805 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Siri" component. It allows physically proximate attackers to obtain sensitive information via a Siri request for private-content notifications that should not have been available in the lock-screen state.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13805 represents a significant security flaw within Apple's iOS operating system affecting versions prior to 11.1. This issue specifically targets the Siri voice assistant component and demonstrates a critical weakness in the system's information disclosure controls. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages physical proximity to exploit inherent design flaws in how private notifications are handled during lock screen states. Security researchers have classified this as a privacy breach that undermines the fundamental security assumptions users make about their device's lock screen protection mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within Siri's notification processing system. When users request specific information through Siri while their device is locked, the system fails to properly validate whether the requested content should be accessible in the lock screen context. This flaw allows attackers to craft specific Siri commands that can extract private notifications and information that should remain hidden from unauthorized access. The vulnerability specifically affects how the system handles requests for private-content notifications, bypassing established security boundaries that normally protect sensitive data from exposure. This represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation within the Siri processing framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13805 extends beyond simple information disclosure to represent a serious threat to user privacy and device security. Attackers with physical access to a target device can exploit this vulnerability without requiring any special privileges or authentication credentials. The attack requires only that the attacker be in physical proximity to the device and able to interact with the Siri interface, making it particularly dangerous in public or shared environments. This vulnerability essentially allows for the unauthorized extraction of sensitive information including private messages, emails, calendar entries, and other notifications that users expect to remain protected while their device is locked. The implications are particularly severe given that this vulnerability affects iOS versions that were widely deployed across millions of devices.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and demonstrates how improper access controls can lead to unauthorized information disclosure. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1056.001, "Input Capture: Keylogging," though this particular vulnerability operates through a different mechanism. The security implications extend to potential data breaches and privacy violations that could compromise personal and potentially sensitive business information. Organizations relying on iOS devices for corporate communications face significant risks from this vulnerability, as it could enable adversaries to gain access to confidential information through relatively simple means. The vulnerability represents a failure in the system's security architecture and highlights the importance of proper access control implementation in mobile operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13805 require immediate system updates to iOS version 11.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the access control flaw in Siri's notification handling. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and monitor for vulnerable systems within their networks. Users should be educated about the risks of physical proximity attacks and the importance of keeping their devices updated with the latest security patches. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure that proper patch management procedures are in place. Additional protective measures include enabling strong authentication mechanisms, configuring device lock screen timeouts, and implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper access control implementations in mobile environments.