CVE-2017-2496 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3.2 is affected. Safari before 10.1.1 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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2496 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple iOS and Safari versions. This security issue stems from improper handling of memory operations within the WebKit component, which serves as the core foundation for web content rendering in Apple's mobile and desktop browsers. The vulnerability exists in iOS versions prior to 10.3.2 and Safari versions prior to 10.1.1, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who can exploit this weakness through crafted web content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. When a user visits a maliciously crafted website, the WebKit engine processes the malformed content in a manner that triggers memory corruption within the browser's memory management system. This memory corruption manifests as unpredictable behavior that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected device or cause the application to crash, resulting in a denial of service condition. The flaw specifically targets the way WebKit handles certain memory operations during web page rendering, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory addresses and execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that can be delivered through standard web browsing activities. Attackers can craft malicious websites that, when visited by unsuspecting users, automatically trigger the memory corruption exploit without requiring any user interaction beyond normal web browsing. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be weaponized in phishing campaigns, malicious advertising networks, or compromised websites that users might visit innocently. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain full control over affected devices, potentially leading to data theft, privacy violations, and further network infiltration. The denial of service aspect also presents significant operational risks as it can disrupt user productivity and create availability issues for critical business applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2496 primarily focus on immediate system updates and security hardening measures. Apple's recommended solution involves upgrading to iOS 10.3.2 or later versions and Safari 10.1.1 or later, which contain patches that address the underlying memory corruption vulnerability in WebKit. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly. Additional security measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, enabling browser security features such as sandboxing, and deploying network monitoring tools to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software updated. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.003 for command and script interpreter indicates that successful exploitation could lead to further lateral movement within compromised networks, making layered security approaches essential for comprehensive protection.