CVE-2017-7127 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11 is affected. macOS before 10.13 is affected. iCloud before 7.0 on Windows is affected. tvOS before 11 is affected. watchOS before 4 is affected. The issue involves the "SQLite" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7127 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's software ecosystem affecting multiple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and Windows iCloud client. This issue specifically targets the SQLite database component that forms the foundation of numerous Apple applications and system functions. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the SQLite implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory handling mechanisms. The affected versions span across several major Apple operating systems, indicating a widespread impact that required coordinated patching across multiple product lines. This cross-platform nature of the vulnerability demonstrates the interconnectedness of Apple's software infrastructure and the potential for a single flaw to compromise multiple device types.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted applications that manipulate SQLite database operations to trigger memory corruption conditions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries that normally protect system processes. The memory corruption aspect suggests that the vulnerability allows for buffer overflows or similar memory handling errors that can be manipulated to overwrite critical system data or redirect execution flow. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors. The privilege escalation aspect indicates that successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain system-level access, potentially compromising user data and device integrity. This represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and execution tactics, where adversaries can move from initial compromise to persistent system control.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7127 extends beyond individual device compromise to affect Apple's broader ecosystem security posture. Organizations relying on Apple devices for business operations face potential data breaches, service disruptions, and compliance violations when affected systems remain unpatched. The vulnerability's presence across multiple platforms including mobile devices, desktop operating systems, and cloud services creates complex mitigation challenges for enterprise security teams. Users may experience denial of service conditions when applications crash due to memory corruption, while the arbitrary code execution capability poses direct threats to data confidentiality and system availability. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction in many cases, as malicious applications can be distributed through various channels including third-party app stores or phishing campaigns. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of broader threat modeling exercises, particularly when assessing risk in environments with mixed Apple device usage and cloud integration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7127 require comprehensive patch management across all affected Apple platforms. System administrators should prioritize immediate deployment of Apple's security updates for iOS 11, macOS 10.13, tvOS 11, watchOS 4, and iCloud 7.0 on Windows. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts through anomalous database access patterns or memory allocation behaviors. The vulnerability's nature suggests that defensive measures should include application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted code that might attempt to exploit SQLite components. Regular security assessments should verify that all Apple devices within the organization have been updated to patched versions. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify memory corruption patterns consistent with this vulnerability. The remediation process must account for the interdependencies between Apple's software platforms, ensuring that all related components receive appropriate updates. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to prepare for potential exploitation events, as the vulnerability's privilege escalation capabilities could lead to significant security breaches requiring comprehensive forensic analysis and system restoration protocols.