CVE-2017-7002 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3.2 is affected. macOS before 10.12.5 is affected. The issue involves the "SQLite" 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 • 08/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7002 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's SQLite database implementation that affected multiple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 10.3.2 and macOS versions prior to 10.12.5. This vulnerability resides within the SQLite component that Apple integrates into their mobile and desktop operating systems, making it a fundamental part of the platform's data handling infrastructure. The flaw manifests through a memory corruption issue that can be exploited through malicious web content, demonstrating how database engine vulnerabilities can translate into serious security risks for end users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the SQLite database engine implementation within Apple's software stack. When processing specially crafted web content that contains maliciously constructed SQL queries or database operations, the SQLite component fails to properly validate memory allocations and buffer boundaries. This leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the way SQLite handles certain data structures and memory management operations when parsing database content from web sources, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing contexts where users frequently encounter untrusted content.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7002 extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass both remote code execution and denial of service scenarios. Attackers can craft malicious websites that, when visited by users on vulnerable systems, trigger the memory corruption flaw and potentially gain full system control. This represents a significant threat vector for man-in-the-middle attacks, phishing campaigns, and other social engineering operations where attackers can entice victims to visit compromised websites. The vulnerability's ability to cause application crashes and system instability also makes it a potential tool for persistent denial of service attacks against targeted users or organizations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw demonstrates how database engine vulnerabilities can be weaponized through web-based attack vectors, making it relevant to ATT&CK technique T1211 for exploit development and T1190 for exploitation of remote services. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their systems, as the risk of exploitation remains significant. The remediation process requires updating to Apple's patched versions of iOS 10.3.2 and macOS 10.12.5, which contain fixes for the memory corruption issues within the SQLite implementation. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider deploying web application firewalls to mitigate the risk of malicious content reaching vulnerable systems.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of database security in operating system components. SQLite, while a robust and widely-used database engine, demonstrates how even well-established software components can contain fundamental flaws that affect millions of users. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that database engines integrated into operating systems require rigorous security testing and continuous monitoring for potential exploits. The remote nature of the attack vector makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently access malicious content through web browsing activities. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in both mobile and desktop operating systems underscores the need for comprehensive patch management strategies that address all components of the software ecosystem, not just the most obvious security concerns.