CVE-2017-7089 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11 is affected. Safari before 11 is affected. iCloud before 7.0 on Windows is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component. It allows remote attackers to conduct Universal XSS (UXSS) attacks via a crafted web site that is mishandled during parent-tab processing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7089 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affected multiple platforms including iOS versions prior to 11.0, Safari versions before 11.0, and iCloud client software on Windows before version 7.0. This vulnerability falls under the category of universal cross-site scripting attacks, which exploit the fundamental trust users place in web applications and browsers to execute malicious code across different contexts. The flaw specifically manifests during parent-tab processing within the WebKit component, creating a unique attack vector that bypasses traditional security mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other websites, potentially enabling session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation attacks. The issue stems from improper handling of tab relationships and context switching within the browser's architecture, creating a window where malicious code can be injected and executed without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way WebKit manages tab relationships and processes parent-child tab interactions, creating a scenario where a malicious website can manipulate the browser's tab handling logic to inject and execute arbitrary code in the context of other websites. This flaw operates at the core of browser security architecture, specifically targeting the tab management and context isolation mechanisms that are supposed to prevent cross-site attacks. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security where user-controllable input is not properly sanitized before being included in web pages. The attack requires minimal user interaction as simply visiting a malicious website can trigger the exploit, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios where users may unknowingly navigate to compromised sites. This type of vulnerability is also categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, although the specific execution mechanism in this case involves browser-based scripting rather than traditional command-line interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7089 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking to potentially enable full system compromise through advanced persistent threats. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to user systems by injecting malicious scripts that maintain persistence across browsing sessions. The vulnerability affects not only individual user devices but also enterprise environments where users may access corporate resources through vulnerable browsers, creating potential attack vectors for targeting sensitive organizational data. The cross-platform nature of the vulnerability means that organizations must implement comprehensive patch management strategies across all affected platforms, including mobile devices, desktop browsers, and cloud-based applications. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of browser security in modern computing environments and highlights the need for continuous security assessment and monitoring of browser components. Security professionals should also consider the implications for zero-day exploitation and ensure that incident response procedures include specific protocols for handling browser-based vulnerabilities that can be exploited remotely without user interaction. The remediation process requires coordinated patching across multiple platforms and may involve additional security measures to protect against exploitation while patches are being deployed.