CVE-2017-13866 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.2 is affected. Safari before 11.0.2 is affected. iCloud before 7.2 on Windows is affected. iTunes before 12.7.2 on Windows is affected. tvOS before 11.2 is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13866 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple operating systems and applications. This vulnerability resides in the core web browsing component that powers Safari, iOS web views, and various other Apple products that utilize WebKit for web content rendering. The flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that can be triggered through maliciously crafted web content, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a compromised website. The vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 11.2, Safari versions before 11.0.2, iCloud for Windows versions prior to 7.2, iTunes for Windows versions before 12.7.2, and tvOS versions prior to 11.2, demonstrating the widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious website containing specially designed web content that triggers memory corruption within the WebKit component. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over the affected system, or alternatively cause denial of service conditions through application crashes. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-125, out-of-bounds read, which are common entry points for remote code execution attacks in web browsers. The attack surface is particularly broad given that WebKit is used across multiple Apple platforms and applications, making the exploitation potential significant for threat actors targeting Apple users. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no local privileges and can be delivered through standard web browsing channels, making it an attractive target for automated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13866 extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially affect enterprise environments where Apple devices are prevalent. Organizations using Apple products for business operations face increased risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and desktop platforms means that security teams must implement comprehensive patch management strategies across their entire Apple ecosystem. The memory corruption nature of the flaw makes it particularly challenging to detect through traditional network monitoring as the attack may appear as normal web browsing traffic until the malicious payload is executed. This vulnerability also represents a significant concern for threat actors who can leverage it to establish persistent access to targeted systems, particularly in high-value targets such as government agencies, financial institutions, and technology companies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13866 should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected Apple platforms and applications. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for rapid containment. Security teams should consider implementing browser isolation techniques and web application firewalls to add additional layers of protection. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a web-based exploitation technique emphasizes the need for comprehensive browser security controls and user education about avoiding suspicious websites. Regular security assessments should verify that all Apple products within the organization have been updated to versions containing the necessary security patches, with particular attention to legacy systems that may not automatically receive updates. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all platforms and the need for organizations to maintain robust vulnerability management processes to address similar issues in the future.