CVE-2017-7019 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3.3 is affected. Safari before 10.1.2 is affected. iCloud before 6.2.2 on Windows is affected. iTunes before 12.6.2 on Windows is affected. tvOS before 10.2.2 is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit Page Loading" 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 • 01/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7019 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit page loading component that affects multiple operating systems and applications. This vulnerability specifically targets iOS versions prior to 10.3.3, Safari versions before 10.1.2, iCloud versions before 6.2.2 on Windows, iTunes versions before 12.6.2 on Windows, and tvOS versions before 10.2.2. The flaw resides in how WebKit processes web page loading operations, creating an exploitable condition that remote attackers can leverage to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt normal application functionality. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the WebKit rendering engine's page loading mechanisms. When processing maliciously crafted web content, the component fails to properly validate memory boundaries, allowing attackers to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution through web browsers, and represents a significant threat to user security since it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7019 extends across multiple Apple platforms and applications, creating widespread exposure for users who rely on these systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to achieve persistent access to affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's ability to cause both arbitrary code execution and denial of service makes it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with multiple attack vectors and escalation paths. Organizations using affected Apple products face significant risk of security breaches, especially in environments where users regularly browse the internet or access web-based applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7019 primarily involve immediate patching and updating of affected systems to the latest supported versions. Apple released security updates for all affected platforms, including iOS 10.3.3, Safari 10.1.2, iCloud 6.2.2, iTunes 12.6.2, and tvOS 10.2.2, which address the underlying memory corruption issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions and monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining systems that may not have been updated, and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updates in controlled environments before widespread deployment to avoid potential compatibility issues with existing applications or business processes.