CVE-2017-2547 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2547 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affected multiple iOS and Safari versions. This vulnerability resides in the core web browsing component responsible for processing and rendering web content across Apple's ecosystem. The issue specifically impacts iOS versions prior to 10.3.2 and Safari versions before 10.1.1, making it a widespread concern for users of older Apple devices. The WebKit component serves as the foundation for Safari's web rendering capabilities and is also utilized by other Apple applications that incorporate web views, amplifying the potential impact of this vulnerability across the entire Apple software ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the WebKit engine's JavaScriptCore component, which processes JavaScript code in web pages. Attackers can craft malicious web pages containing specially designed code that triggers memory corruption when the browser attempts to parse and execute the content. This memory corruption manifests as arbitrary code execution capabilities for remote attackers or can cause application crashes leading to denial of service conditions. The flaw typically occurs during the processing of complex JavaScript objects or when handling specific memory allocation patterns that the WebKit engine fails to properly validate or sanitize.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2547 extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios, as it provides attackers with potential persistent access to affected systems. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Safari process, potentially enabling full system compromise. This capability makes it particularly dangerous for users who browse the internet regularly, as simply visiting a compromised website could result in unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers do not require physical access to devices or user interaction beyond normal web browsing activities to exploit the issue.
Security researchers have categorized this vulnerability under CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" as attackers can leverage JavaScript execution capabilities to deliver malicious payloads. Additionally, the flaw demonstrates characteristics of T1203 "Exploitation for Client Execution" where attackers exploit vulnerabilities in client applications to achieve remote code execution. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates, as the window for exploitation remains open for systems running unsupported versions of iOS and Safari.
The vulnerability's impact on enterprise environments is significant, as many organizations maintain older Apple devices for various operational purposes. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems from anywhere in the world without requiring physical access or complex social engineering. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to corporate networks through endpoint compromise. The memory corruption nature also means that the vulnerability could potentially be chained with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack vectors, making it a critical target for security teams to address through comprehensive patch management programs.