CVE-2017-13865 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.2 is affected. macOS before 10.13.2 is affected. tvOS before 11.2 is affected. watchOS before 4.2 is affected. The issue involves the "Kernel" component. It allows attackers to bypass intended memory-read restrictions via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13865 represents a critical kernel-level security flaw affecting multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This issue resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating systems, specifically targeting memory access controls that are fundamental to system security. The vulnerability enables attackers to circumvent intended memory-read restrictions through the execution of a specially crafted application, effectively undermining the memory protection mechanisms that are essential for maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized data access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and demonstrates how kernel-level flaws can be exploited to bypass memory protection mechanisms. The flaw operates at the core of Apple's operating system architecture where memory management and access controls are enforced, allowing malicious applications to read memory regions that should normally be restricted to system processes or privileged operations. This type of vulnerability represents a significant escalation in attack capabilities since it operates at the kernel level where the most sensitive system functions reside.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13865 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the ability to access protected system memory spaces that may contain sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or confidential application data. The vulnerability affects all versions of Apple's operating systems prior to the specified updates, creating a substantial attack surface across mobile and desktop platforms. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, leading to complete system compromise, or to extract sensitive information from protected memory regions that are normally inaccessible to regular applications.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through kernel exploits and credential access via memory scraping. The attack vector requires a user to install and execute a malicious application, making it a form of social engineering combined with kernel exploitation. The implications for enterprise security are particularly concerning as this vulnerability could be weaponized in targeted attacks against high-value targets, or potentially exploited in mass-distribution campaigns given the widespread adoption of affected Apple products.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2017-13865 primarily focus on immediate system updates to the patched versions of affected operating systems. Apple released updates for iOS 11.2, macOS 10.13.2, tvOS 11.2, and watchOS 4.2 that address this kernel memory access control flaw. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these security patches across all affected devices and implement additional monitoring for suspicious application behavior. System administrators should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce automatic update policies and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and the critical role that kernel-level protections play in overall system security posture.