CVE-2017-7108 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11 is affected. tvOS before 11 is affected. watchOS before 4 is affected. The issue involves the "Wi-Fi" component. It might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via crafted Wi-Fi traffic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7108 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's Wi-Fi implementation across multiple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 11, tvOS versions prior to 11, and watchOS versions prior to 4. This issue resides within the Wi-Fi component of these systems and demonstrates how wireless communication protocols can serve as attack vectors for sophisticated cyber operations. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical nature of this flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate Wi-Fi traffic in such a way that they can either execute arbitrary code within a privileged context or cause denial of service conditions through memory corruption. This represents a particularly dangerous vulnerability because it operates at the network level and can be exploited without requiring physical access to the device or user interaction beyond connecting to a malicious Wi-Fi network. The attack surface is broad as it affects multiple Apple platforms that rely on Wi-Fi connectivity for various functions including device communication, data transfer, and system operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for users who may unknowingly connect to compromised Wi-Fi networks, potentially exposing their devices to remote code execution capabilities. The memory corruption aspect means that attackers could cause system crashes, data loss, or even gain elevated privileges within the operating system. This vulnerability particularly threatens enterprise environments where Apple devices are extensively used, as it could enable attackers to compromise multiple devices within a network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond individual user devices to potentially affect organizational security postures and data integrity.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of command and control channels for executing malicious code. The mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches for iOS 11, tvOS 11, and watchOS 4, along with network monitoring for suspicious Wi-Fi traffic patterns. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure, deploy wireless intrusion detection systems, and educate users about the risks of connecting to untrusted Wi-Fi networks. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and thorough security testing of network components, particularly those handling untrusted input from wireless environments. The flaw serves as a reminder that wireless protocols, even when seemingly benign, can contain critical security vulnerabilities that require continuous monitoring and updating to maintain system integrity.