CVE-2017-2395 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3 is affected. Safari before 10.1 is affected. tvOS before 10.2 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 • 11/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2395 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 and other Apple applications, making it a significant threat vector for remote code execution attacks. The affected versions include iOS versions prior to 10.3, Safari versions prior to 10.1, and tvOS versions prior to 10.2, indicating a broad attack surface across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw specifically targets the WebKit component which is responsible for parsing and rendering web content, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web-based vulnerabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the WebKit engine that occurs when processing maliciously crafted web content. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting specially constructed web pages that trigger memory corruption conditions when loaded in affected browsers. The memory corruption can manifest in various ways including heap corruption, stack overflow, or use-after-free conditions that ultimately allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-119 category of "Improper Access to Memory Location" and represents a classic example of a buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited remotely without user interaction.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2395 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides attackers with the capability to achieve complete system compromise through remote code execution. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can enable attackers to install malicious software, access sensitive data, or maintain persistent access to affected devices. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it highly effective for drive-by attacks. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Apple platforms including mobile devices, desktop browsers, and television systems creates a comprehensive attack surface that could potentially affect millions of users across different device types and usage scenarios.
Organizations and individuals should implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect against this vulnerability, including applying the relevant security updates and patches released by Apple. The recommended approach involves upgrading to iOS 10.3 or later, Safari 10.1 or later, and tvOS 10.2 or later to ensure the WebKit component receives the necessary security fixes. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203 "Exploitation for Client Execution" highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and monitoring for suspicious network activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software updated remains crucial in defending against this type of remote code execution vulnerability.