CVE-2017-2476 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 • 03/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2476 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple operating systems and applications. This vulnerability resides in the core web browsing component that powers Safari and other web-based applications across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw specifically impacts iOS versions prior to 10.3, Safari versions before 10.1, and tvOS versions before 10.2, indicating a widespread exposure across Apple's mobile and television platforms. WebKit serves as the foundational component for web content rendering in Apple's products, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that occurs when processing specially crafted web content. Attackers can construct malicious websites that, when loaded in affected browsers, trigger memory corruption conditions within the WebKit engine. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient input validation or improper memory management within the rendering engine's code. The memory corruption can manifest in various ways including heap corruption, stack overflow conditions, or use-after-free scenarios that ultimately lead to arbitrary code execution capabilities. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would be categorized under CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer, which encompasses memory safety issues that can lead to code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2476 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable full system compromise through remote code execution. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized control over affected devices, potentially accessing sensitive user data, installing malicious applications, or using the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within a network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that users do not need physical access to devices to be compromised, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments and individuals who browse the web regularly. The memory corruption can also result in denial of service conditions that render devices unusable, creating additional operational disruption for users and organizations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation through browser-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2476 require immediate action from affected organizations and users to upgrade to patched versions of the affected software components. Apple released iOS 10.3, Safari 10.1, and tvOS 10.2 updates that address this vulnerability through memory safety improvements and code modifications within the WebKit engine. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious web content before it reaches vulnerable browsers. Browser hardening techniques including sandboxing, privilege separation, and strict content security policies can provide additional defense in depth. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual network traffic patterns or suspicious web browsing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and demonstrates how core components like web browsers can serve as primary attack vectors for sophisticated cyber threats.