CVE-2017-7016 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.6 is affected. The issue involves the "afclip" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted audio file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7016 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.6. This vulnerability specifically resides within the afclip component, which serves as an audio file processing module responsible for handling various audio formats and clip operations. The flaw manifests when the system processes maliciously crafted audio files, creating a dangerous attack surface that could be exploited by remote adversaries without requiring any user interaction or authentication. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the audio processing pipeline, allowing attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully constructed audio file payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a heap-based buffer overflow condition that arises when the afclip component processes malformed audio data structures. Attackers can craft specific audio files containing maliciously formatted data that, when processed by the affected system, triggers memory corruption patterns leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. This memory corruption vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how audio processing components can become attack vectors. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious audio files through various network channels including email attachments, web downloads, or streaming services without requiring physical access to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7016 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system takeover. This represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where macOS systems may be exposed to untrusted audio content through various channels. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and script interpreter usage, and demonstrates how audio processing components can serve as entry points for broader system exploitation. Organizations running affected macOS versions face substantial risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to macOS 10.12.6 or later versions, which contain patches addressing the memory corruption issues within the afclip component. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected macOS installations and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing audio file validation policies, restricting automatic playback of untrusted audio content, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file transfer patterns. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with standard security practices outlined in NIST SP 800-128 for vulnerability management and patch deployment. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized audio processing applications that might inadvertently expose systems to similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining systems that may be susceptible to this or related audio processing vulnerabilities.