CVE-2017-2432 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3 is affected. macOS before 10.12.4 is affected. tvOS before 10.2 is affected. watchOS before 3.2 is affected. The issue involves the "ImageIO" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted JPEG file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2432 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's ImageIO framework that affects multiple operating systems including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This vulnerability resides in the image processing component responsible for handling JPEG file formats, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of JPEG images across digital platforms. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be triggered through specially crafted malicious JPEG files, potentially enabling remote code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability impacts all versions prior to the specified security updates, with iOS requiring version 10.3, macOS requiring 10.12.4, tvOS requiring 10.2, and watchOS requiring 3.2 to be considered secure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The ImageIO component processes JPEG files through a complex parsing mechanism that fails to properly validate input data structures, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout through carefully constructed image headers and metadata. When the vulnerable system attempts to parse these malicious JPEG files, the improper bounds checking causes memory corruption that can be exploited to redirect execution flow or trigger denial of service conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems through the image processing pipeline.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2432 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it represents a remote code execution vector that could be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to vulnerable devices. Attackers could deliver malicious JPEG files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently interact with untrusted image content. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability makes it especially difficult to detect and prevent, as the malicious behavior may not be immediately apparent during normal system operation. Organizations and individuals using affected Apple products face significant risk of compromise, particularly in environments where security updates may not be applied promptly or where users regularly download content from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2432 primarily focus on applying the official security updates released by Apple, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the ImageIO framework. System administrators should prioritize deployment of iOS 10.3, macOS 10.12.4, tvOS 10.2, and watchOS 3.2 updates across all affected devices. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based filtering to block suspicious image content, particularly JPEG files from untrusted sources, and deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of downloading images from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping operating systems updated. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of image processing security in mobile and desktop environments, as image parsing remains a common attack surface for remote code execution exploits.