CVE-2017-7046 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7046 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple operating systems and applications. This vulnerability resides in the core web browsing component that powers Safari, iOS web views, and various other Apple products that utilize WebKit for web content rendering. The flaw specifically manifests in iOS versions prior to 10.3.3, Safari versions before 10.1.2, iCloud for Windows versions before 6.2.2, iTunes for Windows versions before 12.6.2, and tvOS versions before 10.2.2, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue where the WebKit engine fails to properly validate memory access during web page rendering processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted malicious websites that trigger memory corruption within the WebKit engine. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially allowing them to gain full control over the affected device or application. The memory corruption can manifest as either remote code execution or denial of service conditions, where applications crash or become unresponsive due to improper memory handling. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code remotely and potentially escalate privileges through compromised applications. The exploitation requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7046 extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect large-scale deployments where Apple products are used in enterprise environments. Organizations relying on iOS devices, Mac computers, or Apple TV systems face significant security risks as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points within their networks. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and desktop operating systems creates multiple attack vectors, while its impact on iCloud and iTunes applications means that even Windows users running Apple software are at risk. The memory corruption nature of the flaw makes detection difficult as it may not always result in immediate crashes, allowing attackers to maintain persistent access while performing reconnaissance or data exfiltration activities. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK tactic T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents a remote exploitation vector through web browsers and applications that connect to the internet.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7046 require immediate patching of all affected Apple products to the latest supported versions. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all Apple software installations are kept current with security updates. Security teams should consider implementing web content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains until patches are deployed. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue means that traditional antivirus solutions may not detect exploitation attempts, requiring more sophisticated network-based intrusion detection systems. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the importance of keeping software updated remains crucial, as the vulnerability can be exploited through simple web navigation without any user interaction beyond visiting compromised websites. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized code, particularly in environments where Apple software is used for business-critical applications.