CVE-2017-13870 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
This vulnerability resides within the WebKit rendering engine component that powers Apple's Safari browser and other web-based applications across iOS, macOS, tvOS, and Windows implementations. The flaw represents a critical memory corruption issue that manifests when processing maliciously crafted web content, allowing remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple products including iOS versions prior to 11.2, Safari browsers before 11.0.2, iCloud applications on Windows before version 7.2, iTunes on Windows before version 12.7.2, and tvOS before 11.2. The technical nature of this flaw falls under memory corruption vulnerabilities which are classified as CWE-125 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically involving out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for users who browse the internet regularly. Attackers can craft malicious websites that, when loaded in affected browsers, trigger memory corruption that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system resources. This vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires only that a user visits a malicious website, making it particularly effective for phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling process injection and T1059 through command execution capabilities, representing a significant threat to enterprise and individual security postures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Apple products through official software updates. System administrators should prioritize deployment of iOS 11.2, Safari 11.0.2, iCloud 7.2, iTunes 12.7.2, and tvOS 11.2 updates across all affected devices. Additional protective measures include implementing web filtering solutions, disabling JavaScript in browser settings where possible, and educating users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites. Network-level defenses such as intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious process behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and highlights the need for continuous vulnerability management programs that can quickly respond to emerging threats in complex software ecosystems. Organizations should also consider implementing browser isolation technologies and web application firewalls as additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.