CVE-2017-7031 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.12.6 is affected. The issue involves the "Foundation" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted file.
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-2017-7031 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's Foundation framework that impacted macOS versions prior to 10.12.6. This issue stems from improper handling of crafted files within the Foundation component, which serves as a fundamental framework for macOS application development and system operations. The Foundation framework provides essential services including data management, networking, and file system operations that are utilized by numerous applications across the operating system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes malformed or specially crafted files that trigger memory corruption conditions within the Foundation framework's file parsing mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness by preparing malicious files that, when processed by applications relying on Foundation components, cause the system to execute arbitrary code or induce application crashes. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing of structured data within the Foundation framework, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute malicious instructions. This type of vulnerability represents a classic remote code execution vector that leverages the trust model inherent in operating system frameworks, where legitimate system components become attack vectors when processing untrusted input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7031 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full system compromise potential. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The Foundation framework's widespread usage across macOS applications means that numerous legitimate software packages could serve as attack vectors, amplifying the vulnerability's reach. Security researchers have mapped this vulnerability to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of scripting languages for execution, as the memory corruption can be leveraged to inject and execute malicious code within the application context. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1484.001, which covers path manipulation, as attackers can craft files that exploit the framework's file handling capabilities to achieve their objectives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7031 primarily focus on updating to macOS 10.12.6 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper bounds checking and memory management within the Foundation framework. System administrators should prioritize patch management to ensure all affected systems receive the security updates, as the vulnerability remains exploitable in older macOS versions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and application whitelisting policies to limit the potential impact of exploitation, particularly in environments where immediate patching may not be feasible. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution threat necessitates comprehensive monitoring for suspicious file processing activities and network traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing measures for applications that process untrusted files, as this can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.