CVE-2017-2392 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. Safari before 10.1 is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2392 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affected Safari versions prior to 10.1. This issue resides in the core components that process web content and handle application execution within the browser environment, making it particularly dangerous for users who rely on Safari for web browsing and application interaction. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the WebKit framework, creating opportunities for malicious code execution through specially crafted applications or web content that triggers unexpected behavior in the browser's memory handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a crafted application or web page leverages memory corruption flaws within WebKit's processing pipeline to gain unauthorized control over system resources. Attackers can manipulate memory structures through malformed input or application constructs that cause the browser to execute unintended code sequences. This type of vulnerability typically involves buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors that allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations or inject malicious payloads directly into the browser's execution context. The flaw operates at a low level within the browser's architecture, making it particularly difficult to detect and prevent through traditional security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2392 extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable complete system compromise when users interact with malicious content. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious websites, compromised web applications, or even legitimate applications that contain malformed content. Once successfully exploited, the memory corruption allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Safari process, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by Safari's widespread use and the browser's integration with various system functions, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploitation campaigns.
Organizations and individual users should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to Safari 10.1 or later versions that contain the patched WebKit components. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious patterns associated with this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include enabling sandboxing features, restricting browser permissions, and implementing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer" and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection. Regular security updates and patch management processes become critical in preventing exploitation of this type of memory corruption vulnerability that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats.