CVE-2017-7068 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.3.3 is affected. macOS before 10.12.6 is affected. tvOS before 10.2.2 is affected. watchOS before 3.2.3 is affected. The issue involves the "libarchive" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (buffer overflow and application crash) via a crafted archive file.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7068 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the libarchive component of Apple's software ecosystem. This issue affects multiple Apple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 10.3.3, macOS versions before 10.12.6, tvOS versions before 10.2.2, and watchOS versions before 3.2.3. The libarchive library serves as a fundamental component for handling various archive formats including tar, zip, and other compressed file types, making it a critical element in Apple's file processing infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the archive parsing routines, creating a dangerous condition where maliciously crafted archive files can trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of archive file structures that libarchive processes. When a malformed archive file is encountered, the buffer overflow condition manifests during the parsing phase where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory buffers. This flaw falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service scenarios where applications crash and become unavailable to legitimate users, effectively creating a persistent disruption to system functionality.
The operational implications of CVE-2017-7068 are particularly severe given the widespread use of Apple devices and the libarchive component's integration into core system functions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to remotely compromise devices through malicious archive files delivered via email attachments, web downloads, or malicious applications. The buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution, potentially allowing threat actors to gain full control over affected devices. This vulnerability is especially concerning in enterprise environments where Apple devices are extensively deployed, as it could enable attackers to establish persistent access points within networks. The impact spans across all affected Apple platforms, creating a unified attack surface that requires comprehensive patch management strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7068 focus primarily on applying the official security updates provided by Apple. System administrators should prioritize deployment of iOS 10.3.3, macOS 10.12.6, tvOS 10.2.2, and watchOS 3.2.3 updates to address the underlying buffer overflow conditions. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based filtering to block suspicious archive file types, deploying application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted archive processing applications, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can monitor for anomalous archive processing behaviors and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and highlights the necessity of robust input validation mechanisms in widely-used libraries such as libarchive that handle untrusted data from multiple sources.