CVE-2017-2400 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3 is affected. The issue involves the "SafariViewController" component. It allows attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging the SafariViewController's incorrect synchronization of Safari cache clearing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2400 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Apple's iOS ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to iOS 10.3. This security weakness resides within the SafariViewController component, which serves as a crucial interface element for applications that need to display web content without leaving the app's context. The issue stems from improper handling of cache synchronization between the embedded SafariViewController and the system's main Safari browser, creating a potential avenue for malicious actors to exploit the inconsistency in cache management protocols.
The technical flaw manifests when applications utilize SafariViewController to present web content, and the system fails to properly clear cached data from the embedded browser component. This incorrect synchronization allows attackers to access cached web resources, cookies, and potentially sensitive session information that should have been cleared upon navigation or application termination. The vulnerability specifically exploits the timing and mechanism by which cache clearing operations are executed across different browser contexts, creating a window where sensitive data remains accessible to unauthorized parties. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of information isolation and proper resource cleanup, as demonstrated by the CWE-200 weakness classification for exposure of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it can enable sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, and cross-site request forgery exploitation. Mobile applications that integrate SafariViewController for web authentication flows, content display, or user interaction may inadvertently expose user sessions or sensitive data to attackers who can leverage the cache synchronization flaw. The vulnerability particularly affects applications that handle financial transactions, personal identification, or confidential communications, as the cached data may contain session tokens, user credentials, or private information that should remain isolated from unauthorized access. Attackers can potentially reconstruct user sessions or gain unauthorized access to protected resources by exploiting the inconsistent cache clearing behavior between the embedded browser and the system's primary browser.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2400 require immediate system updates to iOS 10.3 or later versions where Apple has addressed the cache synchronization issue through improved inter-process communication protocols and enhanced cache management mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive the security update promptly, as the vulnerability exists at the operating system level rather than within individual applications. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify applications that utilize SafariViewController and verify their compatibility with updated iOS versions. Additionally, developers should consider implementing additional client-side protections such as explicit cache clearing mechanisms and secure session management practices, though these measures cannot fully compensate for the underlying operating system vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under credential access and defense evasion techniques, as it enables attackers to maintain persistent access to user sessions and potentially evade traditional security monitoring controls by exploiting legitimate system components.