CVE-2017-13904 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 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 • 06/18/2024
This vulnerability resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating systems, representing a critical security flaw that affects multiple platform versions. The issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the kernel's memory management subsystem, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The vulnerability manifests when a crafted application attempts to manipulate kernel memory structures through improper bounds checking and memory allocation routines. This flaw operates at the core of the operating system's security model, where kernel-level memory corruption can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 11.2, macOS versions prior to 10.13.2, tvOS versions prior to 11.2, and watchOS versions prior to 4.2, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The kernel component serves as the foundation for all system operations, making any memory corruption within this layer potentially catastrophic for system integrity and user data security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a sophisticated attack vector that leverages memory corruption techniques to gain unauthorized access to privileged execution contexts. Attackers can craft malicious applications that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions within kernel memory spaces, allowing them to manipulate kernel data structures and execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the CWE-119 weakness category, which encompasses memory safety issues including buffer overflows, out-of-bounds reads, and improper memory management. The attack scenario enables privilege escalation from user-level application context to kernel-level execution, bypassing all standard security boundaries and access controls. The memory corruption occurs during kernel processing of application-supplied data, where insufficient validation allows attackers to overwrite critical kernel memory locations, potentially leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating significant risks for user privacy and system availability. When exploited successfully, attackers can execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, potentially installing persistent backdoors, modifying system files, accessing encrypted data, or exfiltrating sensitive information. The vulnerability's potential for denial of service means that even unsuccessful exploitation attempts could crash the kernel or cause system instability, resulting in unexpected reboots or complete system lockouts. This represents a severe threat to Apple's security architecture, as it undermines the fundamental isolation guarantees that separate user applications from system-critical operations. The impact affects all users of the vulnerable platforms, regardless of their security awareness or technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where system stability and data protection are paramount. Organizations relying on these platforms face increased risk of advanced persistent threats and targeted attacks that leverage this kernel-level vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment across all affected Apple platforms, as the kernel-level nature of the flaw makes it impossible to address through application-level security measures alone. Apple's release of iOS 11.2, macOS 10.13.2, tvOS 11.2, and watchOS 4.2 contains the necessary kernel patches that correct the memory management flaws and restore proper input validation. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest available versions, as the vulnerability remains exploitable until patched. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activity, and maintaining comprehensive system monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct security assessments to identify any potential compromise indicators and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing kernel-level vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires careful consideration of compatibility issues and system stability, as kernel updates can sometimes introduce regressions or compatibility problems with existing applications and hardware configurations. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates the potential consequences of delayed patch management in enterprise security programs.