CVE-2017-7033 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.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7033 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.12.6. This security weakness resides in the afclip component which is responsible for handling audio file processing within the system. The vulnerability manifests when the system encounters specially crafted audio files that trigger improper memory handling during the processing of audio clip data. The flaw operates through a buffer overflow condition that occurs when the afclip component fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming audio file data, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of audio file formats that contain malformed data structures within the afclip processing pipeline. When macOS attempts to parse and process these maliciously crafted audio files, the afclip component executes code that overflows allocated memory buffers, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. This memory corruption can result in two primary attack vectors: arbitrary code execution when the overflow allows attackers to inject and execute malicious instructions within the target system, or denial of service conditions that cause application crashes and system instability. The vulnerability specifically targets the audio processing subsystem and leverages the inherent trust placed in audio file handling components within the operating system's multimedia framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7033 extends beyond simple system crashes to encompass potential full system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system control. The vulnerability affects a wide range of macOS applications that utilize the afclip component for audio processing, including but not limited to media players, audio editing software, and system utilities that handle audio file input. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability without physical access to the target system, simply by delivering a malicious audio file through email attachments, web downloads, or other file transfer mechanisms. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently download compromised audio files from untrusted sources.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation". The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue makes it susceptible to exploitation through various attack vectors including social engineering campaigns that deliver malicious audio files. Organizations should prioritize patch management to upgrade to macOS 10.12.6 or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing network-based restrictions on audio file downloads, deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious audio file processing activities, and conducting user awareness training to prevent accidental exploitation through malicious file downloads. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date operating system versions and the potential consequences of failing to apply security patches in a timely manner.