CVE-2017-2473 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 "Kernel" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
This vulnerability resides within the kernel component of multiple Apple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 10.3, macOS versions before 10.12.4, tvOS before 10.2, and watchOS before 3.2. The flaw represents a critical memory corruption issue that enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges or potentially cause system-wide denial of service conditions. The kernel serves as the core component of any operating system responsible for managing system resources and providing secure execution environments for applications, making vulnerabilities within this realm particularly dangerous. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-119 category, which encompasses weaknesses related to memory corruption issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation. The attack vector involves a specially crafted application that exploits memory handling flaws in the kernel, allowing malicious code to run with system-level privileges rather than standard user permissions.
The technical impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the operating system's security model. When an attacker successfully exploits this kernel-level flaw, they can bypass critical security mechanisms that normally isolate applications from each other and from core system functions. This enables the execution of malicious code with the same privileges as the kernel itself, potentially allowing complete system compromise. The memory corruption aspect suggests that the vulnerability likely involves improper handling of memory allocations, buffer overflows, or use-after-free conditions that can be manipulated to overwrite critical kernel data structures or function pointers. The vulnerability's presence across multiple Apple platforms indicates a systemic issue within the kernel implementation that affects the company's entire ecosystem of devices, from smartphones to smartwatches.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations and individual users alike, as it can be exploited through seemingly legitimate applications downloaded from official app stores. The exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond installing a malicious application, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently install compromised software. The potential for denial of service represents another critical concern, as attackers could cause system crashes or reboots that disrupt critical operations. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.003 for executing malicious code in kernel space, and the privilege escalation capabilities map to T1068 which involves gaining elevated privileges through system-level vulnerabilities. Organizations must prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability's widespread impact across Apple's product portfolio makes it a high-priority target for threat actors.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of Apple's security patches for each affected platform. System administrators should prioritize updating all devices running the vulnerable versions of iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS to their respective patched versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular monitoring for such kernel-level exploits and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence feeds. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts within their networks and implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate successful exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates how kernel-level flaws can provide attackers with the most privileged access possible within a system, making comprehensive patch management a critical security control.