CVE-2017-2465 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-2017-2465 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affected multiple Apple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 10.3 Safari versions before 10.1 and tvOS versions before 10.2. This vulnerability resides in the core web browsing component that processes and renders web content across Apple's ecosystem, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. The flaw specifically manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be triggered through maliciously crafted web pages, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems or cause application crashes and denial of service conditions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 Improper Access to Memory and CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read categories within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, indicating that the flaw involves improper handling of memory operations within the WebKit component. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in Safari or other WebKit-based applications, triggers a memory corruption condition. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution which describes how adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The memory corruption occurs during web page rendering processes where the WebKit engine fails to properly validate or handle certain input data structures, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be weaponized.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2465 extends beyond simple application instability as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve remote code execution capabilities on affected Apple devices. This vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where Apple devices are prevalent, potentially allowing threat actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or establish persistent access points. The widespread use of Safari and WebKit-based applications across Apple's ecosystem means that a single compromised website could potentially affect numerous devices simultaneously. Organizations using Apple devices for business operations face significant risk as this vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass traditional security controls and execute malicious payloads directly on user machines. The exploitability of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks and automated exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2465 primarily focus on prompt system updates and patch management to upgrade affected Apple operating systems to versions containing the necessary security fixes. Apple released iOS 10.3 Safari 10.1 and tvOS 10.2 updates that address this vulnerability by implementing proper memory validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the WebKit component. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Apple devices within their network receive timely updates. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions that can block known malicious domains and employing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Browser security configurations should be hardened by disabling unnecessary features and implementing strict content security policies. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the organization's infrastructure. The remediation process should also include user education to raise awareness about the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software up to date.