CVE-2017-2505 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. tvOS before 10.2.1 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2505 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the WebKit rendering engine component that powers Safari and other Apple web browsers across iOS, macOS, and tvOS platforms. This vulnerability affects iOS versions prior to 10.3.2, Safari versions before 10.1.1, and tvOS versions before 10.2.1, demonstrating the widespread impact of WebKit-based security issues across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes certain web content, creating opportunities for remote code execution through maliciously crafted web pages that can be delivered via standard web browsing activities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's JavaScript engine and rendering components, specifically manifesting as heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in Safari or other affected browsers, triggers memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that users need only visit a compromised website to be vulnerable, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios where users browse the internet regularly. This type of vulnerability typically maps to CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of web browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2505 extends beyond simple application crashes, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Memory corruption vulnerabilities of this nature often provide attackers with the ability to bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution makes it particularly attractive to threat actors who can leverage it for reconnaissance, data exfiltration, or establishing persistent access to affected systems. Organizations and individuals using affected Apple platforms face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2505 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected systems through Apple's security updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in WebKit. System administrators should prioritize deployment of iOS 10.3.2, Safari 10.1.1, and tvOS 10.2.1 updates across all affected devices. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, disabling JavaScript in web browsers when possible, and employing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening configurations that limit the attack surface of WebKit components, including disabling unnecessary browser features and implementing strict content security policies. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and demonstrates how browser-based vulnerabilities can serve as primary attack vectors in modern cyber campaigns.