CVE-2017-17496 in idevicerestore
Summary
by MITRE
The socket_create function in socket.c in idevicerestore through 2017-12-10 allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and communicate with services on iOS devices by connecting to an IPv4 TCP socket, a similar issue to CVE-2016-5104.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17496 resides within the socket_create function implementation in the idevicerestore utility, specifically within the socket.c file of versions prior to 2017-12-10. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that undermines the intended access controls designed to protect iOS devices during the restoration process. The issue allows remote attackers to circumvent access restrictions that should prevent unauthorized communication with services running on iOS devices, effectively creating a backdoor for malicious actors to interact with device services without proper authentication or authorization.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper validation of socket connection parameters within the idevicerestore utility's network communication layer. When the socket_create function processes IPv4 TCP socket connections, it fails to adequately enforce access control policies that should restrict which services can be accessed remotely. This vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, specifically targeting the socket creation and connection mechanisms that are fundamental to device communication. The flaw essentially allows attackers to establish TCP connections to services that should remain protected or restricted, effectively bypassing the security boundaries that are typically enforced by the iOS operating system itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access bypass, as it enables attackers to potentially exploit various services running on iOS devices during the restoration process. This creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks, service enumeration, and potentially more severe exploitation vectors depending on the specific services accessible through the bypassed restrictions. The vulnerability's similarity to CVE-2016-5104 indicates a pattern of implementation flaws in how socket operations are handled within the idevicerestore framework, suggesting that similar issues may exist in other network communication components of the utility.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software implementations, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in network communication. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under network service scanning and access control bypass techniques, as it enables adversaries to discover and interact with services that should remain hidden or protected. Organizations using idevicerestore for iOS device management or restoration should immediately update to versions that address this vulnerability, as the exposure creates a persistent risk for devices that are being restored or managed through this utility.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper socket validation and access control implementation in security-sensitive applications. It highlights how seemingly minor flaws in network communication code can create substantial security risks, particularly when dealing with device management utilities that have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system components. The remediation strategy should focus on implementing proper access control checks within the socket creation process, ensuring that only authorized connections are permitted and that all network communications are properly validated against established security policies. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing of network communication components, particularly in utilities that interface with operating system services and device management functions.