CVE-2017-6995 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.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6995 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's multimedia processing framework affecting multiple operating systems including iOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This issue resides within the AVEVideoEncoder component which serves as a core video encoding module responsible for handling multimedia content processing across Apple's ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management within this privileged system component, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory corruption weaknesses that could lead to unauthorized code execution or system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-125 category of out-of-bounds read conditions and CWE-787 out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities, where the AVEVideoEncoder component fails to properly validate input parameters during video encoding operations. Attackers can craft malicious applications that manipulate the video encoding pipeline to trigger memory corruption errors, potentially allowing execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges typically reserved for system processes. This privilege escalation capability represents a significant threat vector since the affected component operates with high system privileges necessary for multimedia processing functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6995 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious code within the privileged context of the operating system, bypassing standard security boundaries that normally protect against unauthorized system modifications. The affected versions iOS 10.3.1 and earlier, tvOS 10.2.0 and earlier, and watchOS 3.2.1 and earlier represent widespread adoption across Apple's consumer devices, making the attack surface particularly extensive. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a crafted application to be installed and executed, making it highly practical for real-world attacks that could compromise user data, device functionality, and overall system integrity.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to gain elevated system privileges. The attack chain typically involves installing a malicious application that triggers the vulnerable video encoding path, followed by exploitation of the memory corruption to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate remediation through official software updates, as the vulnerability affects devices that were widely deployed in consumer and enterprise environments. The security implications extend to potential data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and complete device compromise, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on Apple devices for critical operations.