CVE-2017-6994 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3.2 is affected. tvOS before 10.2.1 is affected. watchOS before 3.2.2 is affected. The issue involves the "AVEVideoEncoder" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6994 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's multimedia processing framework affecting multiple operating systems. This issue resides within the AVEVideoEncoder component which serves as a core element in Apple's video encoding capabilities across iOS, tvOS, and watchOS platforms. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations during video encoding processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit system resources. The affected versions include iOS 10.3.1 and earlier, tvOS 10.2.0 and earlier, and watchOS 3.2.1 and earlier, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. This flaw demonstrates the inherent risks associated with multimedia processing components that handle untrusted input data, particularly when dealing with privileged system operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that occurs within the AVEVideoEncoder subsystem when processing specially crafted video content. Attackers can leverage this weakness by developing malicious applications that trigger the vulnerable code path through specific video encoding parameters or malformed media files. The exploitation mechanism allows for privilege escalation, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code within the system's privileged context. This represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow scenario where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption, potentially allowing for complete system compromise. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates within the video encoding framework that is frequently utilized by legitimate applications, making detection and prevention challenging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. When exploited successfully, attackers can gain unauthorized access to privileged system resources, potentially enabling them to install malicious software, modify system files, or exfiltrate sensitive data from affected devices. The privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability means that even users with standard privileges could potentially gain administrative access to the affected systems. This poses significant risks to personal privacy and corporate security, particularly in environments where Apple devices are used for business purposes. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a crafted application, making it accessible to attackers with moderate technical skills. The widespread adoption of affected iOS versions across consumer and enterprise environments amplifies the potential impact, as millions of devices could be compromised through simple app installation. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and system access, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6994 primarily focus on immediate system updates and security configuration measures. Apple released iOS 10.3.2, tvOS 10.2.1, and watchOS 3.2.2 patches that address the underlying memory corruption issue within AVEVideoEncoder. Organizations and individuals should prioritize applying these security updates immediately to protect their systems. Additional protective measures include implementing strict application vetting processes, particularly for video processing applications, and monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network security controls such as application whitelisting and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. Security professionals should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous video processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in multimedia processing components, serving as a reminder of the critical security considerations required in system-level software development. Organizations should maintain comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected devices receive timely security updates, particularly given the privilege escalation capabilities that make this vulnerability particularly dangerous.