CVE-2017-7030 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" 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7030 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple operating systems and applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the WebKit component which serves as the foundation for Safari web browser functionality across Apple's ecosystem including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and various Windows applications. The flaw manifests in versions of iOS prior to 10.3.3, Safari prior to 10.1.2, iCloud for Windows prior to 6.2.2, iTunes for Windows prior to 12.6.2, and tvOS prior to 10.2.2, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's software portfolio.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's JavaScript engine, creating conditions where maliciously crafted web content can trigger memory corruption errors. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting specially designed web pages that, when loaded in affected browsers, cause the application to execute arbitrary code or result in application crashes. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read category and can be categorized as a remote code execution flaw that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can leverage it through web-based attacks without requiring physical access to the target device.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7030 extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for unauthorized system access and data compromise. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise where attackers gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected application. The memory corruption aspect particularly poses significant risks as it can be leveraged to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms. Organizations and individuals running affected Apple software versions face heightened risk of targeted attacks, especially in environments where users frequently browse the internet or interact with untrusted web content. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and desktop applications creates a substantial attack surface that security professionals must address through immediate patch management and network monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Apple to address the underlying memory corruption issues. System administrators should prioritize deployment of 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. Additionally, network security controls should implement web filtering and content inspection to block access to known malicious domains until patches are deployed. Organizations may also consider implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling JavaScript in untrusted environments, though this approach reduces functionality. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw emphasizes the importance of network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on anomalous network traffic patterns and unusual application behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts, while incident response procedures should include immediate isolation of potentially compromised systems and forensic analysis of affected devices.