CVE-2017-7049 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 • 05/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7049 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple operating systems and applications. This vulnerability specifically impacts iOS versions prior to 10.3.3, Safari versions before 10.1.2, iCloud versions before 6.2.2 on Windows platforms, iTunes versions before 12.6.2 on Windows, and tvOS versions before 10.2.2. The flaw resides in the WebKit component which serves as the foundation for web content rendering across Apple's ecosystem, making it a prime target for exploitation due to its widespread usage and the privileged position it holds in executing web-based content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's JavaScript engine, creating conditions where remote attackers can craft malicious websites that trigger memory corruption when processed by affected applications. This memory corruption manifests as arbitrary code execution capabilities or denial of service conditions that can cause application crashes and system instability. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the browser's rendering pipeline to manipulate memory structures in ways that bypass normal security protections, effectively allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code on targeted systems without requiring local privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7049 extends beyond simple application crashes to represent a significant threat to user security and system integrity across Apple's platform ecosystem. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to user data, compromise system confidentiality, and potentially establish persistent backdoors through arbitrary code execution. The widespread adoption of affected applications means that successful exploitation could affect millions of users simultaneously, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous from a threat landscape perspective. The memory corruption nature of the flaw also means that it could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7049 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment across all affected Apple products and platforms. Users should prioritize updating to the latest available versions of iOS, Safari, iCloud, iTunes, and tvOS that contain the necessary security fixes. Network administrators should implement web content filtering and monitoring solutions to detect and block access to known malicious domains that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses "Improper Access to Memory" and represents a classic example of a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that can be exploited through web-based attack vectors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications, privilege escalation, and initial access through web-based phishing campaigns, making it a critical component in the attack chain for advanced persistent threats targeting Apple environments.