CVE-2017-2478 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. A race condition allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted app.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2478 represents a critical race condition flaw within the kernel component of multiple Apple operating systems including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This fundamental security weakness exists in versions prior to the specified patches where iOS 10.3, macOS 10.12.4, tvOS 10.2, and watchOS 3.2 respectively address the issue. The race condition manifests as a timing-dependent flaw that occurs when multiple threads or processes access shared resources simultaneously, creating opportunities for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-362 which specifically addresses race conditions in software systems where concurrent execution can lead to unpredictable behavior and security breaches.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within a privileged kernel context, fundamentally compromising the security model of the affected platforms. This privilege escalation occurs through a crafted malicious application that leverages the race condition to gain elevated permissions beyond normal application boundaries. The kernel component serves as the core operating system layer responsible for system resource management and security enforcement, making any vulnerability in this area particularly dangerous. Attackers can exploit this flaw to bypass traditional security mechanisms, potentially gaining root access to the affected devices and executing malicious payloads with complete system control.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2478 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it represents a complete compromise of the device security model. Once exploited, attackers can manipulate system files, install persistent backdoors, access sensitive user data, and potentially spread malware across the device ecosystem. The race condition nature of the vulnerability means that successful exploitation is not entirely dependent on perfect timing but rather on creating conditions where the race can be triggered reliably. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited by adversaries with relatively basic application development skills, without requiring deep system-level knowledge or sophisticated attack infrastructure.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched versions of their respective operating systems. The Apple security updates for iOS 10.3, macOS 10.12.4, tvOS 10.2, and watchOS 3.2 contain the necessary patches to resolve the race condition. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious application behavior and system access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider implementing device isolation measures for affected systems until updates are deployed. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters, as the privilege escalation allows for arbitrary code execution. The security community should also monitor for related vulnerabilities that might exploit similar timing-based weaknesses in kernel components.