CVE-2017-2471 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3 is affected. Safari before 10.1 is affected. watchOS before 3.2 is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component. A use-after-free vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2471 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that impacted multiple Apple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 10.3, Safari versions before 10.1, and watchOS versions before 3.2. This vulnerability resides in the core web browsing component that processes and renders web content across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw stems from improper memory management within WebKit's handling of specific web page elements, creating a condition where freed memory locations could be accessed and reused by malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution through seemingly benign web pages, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise Apple devices without user interaction.
The technical exploitation of this use-after-free vulnerability occurs when a malicious website triggers a specific sequence of operations within WebKit that causes memory to be freed while still referenced by active code paths. This memory corruption creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the browser process, potentially allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web browser. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it simply by hosting a malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous for users who browse the internet regularly. The flaw demonstrates a classic memory safety issue that falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating opportunities for code injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2471 extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially enable broader attack vectors within Apple's ecosystem. Since the vulnerability affects WebKit across multiple Apple platforms, attackers could leverage a single malicious webpage to target iOS devices, macOS systems, and watchOS devices simultaneously. This cross-platform nature makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking maximum impact with minimal effort. The remote execution capability means that users could be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, even if they do not interact with any specific elements on the page. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting weaknesses in software to gain unauthorized access to systems, and represents a significant threat to enterprise security where users may inadvertently encounter compromised websites.
Apple's response to this vulnerability involved releasing security updates for affected operating systems, including iOS 10.3, Safari 10.1, and watchOS 3.2, which addressed the memory management issues within WebKit. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain full control over affected devices. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that all Apple devices within an organization are updated to versions that contain the necessary WebKit fixes. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious web traffic and potentially malicious websites that could exploit this vulnerability, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Additionally, user education about avoiding suspicious websites and maintaining current software versions remains crucial in defending against this type of remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited without user interaction.