CVE-2017-2483 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 buffer overflow allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2483 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the kernel component of multiple Apple operating systems. This security weakness affects iOS versions prior to 10.3, macOS versions before 10.12.4, tvOS versions before 10.2, and watchOS versions before 3.2. The kernel, as the core component of any operating system, serves as the foundation for system security and privilege management, making vulnerabilities within this realm particularly dangerous. The flaw specifically enables attackers to craft malicious applications that can trigger a buffer overflow condition, thereby gaining the ability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This privilege escalation capability fundamentally undermines the security model of these operating systems, as it allows malicious software to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized system-level access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, which describes a condition where data written to a buffer exceeds the buffer's allocated size, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation vector under the ATT&CK framework, specifically categorized under T1068 privilege escalation techniques. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute code with the highest system privileges, effectively granting them complete control over the affected device. The buffer overflow occurs when the kernel fails to properly validate input data from crafted applications, allowing malicious input to overwrite critical memory structures and potentially redirect execution flow to attacker-controlled code.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2483 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it represents a fundamental compromise of system integrity and user security. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to bypass all standard security mechanisms, including code signing requirements, sandboxing restrictions, and user permission controls. The affected devices become vulnerable to persistent malware installation, data theft, and surveillance capabilities that operate below the detection capabilities of typical user-level security software. For mobile devices, this vulnerability could lead to complete device compromise, allowing attackers to access sensitive information, monitor communications, and maintain persistent access even after device restarts. The widespread nature of affected Apple products means that organizations and individuals using these outdated systems face significant risk exposure, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy device support continues beyond recommended security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2483 center exclusively on immediate system updates to the patched versions of each affected operating system. Apple released security updates for iOS 10.3, macOS 10.12.4, tvOS 10.2, and watchOS 3.2 that address the kernel buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all affected devices receive these updates promptly. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be used in targeted attacks against high-value targets. The mitigation approach aligns with standard security practices outlined in NIST SP 800-40 and ISO 27001 frameworks, emphasizing the importance of timely vulnerability remediation and continuous system hardening. Given the severity of kernel-level vulnerabilities, organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as device encryption, application whitelisting, and regular security audits to reduce the overall risk exposure of their affected systems.