CVE-2017-7048 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 • 04/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7048 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple Apple platforms and applications. This vulnerability resides in the core web browsing component responsible for processing and displaying web content across Apple's ecosystem. The affected versions include iOS 10.3.2 and earlier, Safari 10.1.1 and earlier, iCloud 6.2.1 and earlier on Windows, iTunes 12.6.1 and earlier on Windows, and tvOS 10.2.1 and earlier. The flaw specifically manifests in how WebKit handles certain crafted web content, creating a pathway for remote code execution and system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within WebKit's JavaScript engine and web content processing mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by hosting malicious web content on compromised websites that, when loaded in affected browsers, trigger memory corruption conditions. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include denial of service scenarios where applications crash or become unresponsive due to corrupted memory states.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7048 is substantial across Apple's product portfolio, affecting users of mobile devices, desktop applications, and television platforms. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to user systems, potentially leading to data theft, privacy violations, and complete system control. The widespread nature of affected products means that users across multiple platforms face exposure, with the vulnerability being particularly dangerous in environments where users regularly browse the internet. The attack surface is extensive since WebKit is used across Apple's entire ecosystem, making this a high-priority vulnerability for threat actors targeting Apple users. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script execution and T1489 for system shutdown/reboot, as attackers could potentially leverage the memory corruption to gain elevated privileges and control system operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7048 primarily involve applying official security updates from Apple, which include patches to the WebKit component that address the memory corruption issues. Users should immediately update to iOS 10.3.3, Safari 10.1.2, iCloud 6.2.2, iTunes 12.6.2, and tvOS 10.2.2 or later versions. Network administrators should consider implementing web content filtering solutions to block known malicious domains and monitor for suspicious web traffic patterns. Additional protective measures include disabling JavaScript in web browsers when not required, using sandboxed browsing environments, and implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Organizations should also maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure comprehensive incident response procedures are in place to address potential exploitation attempts.