CVE-2017-7130 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11 is affected. macOS before 10.13 is affected. tvOS before 11 is affected. watchOS before 4 is affected. The issue involves the third-party "SQLite" product. Versions before 3.19.3 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7130 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's ecosystem affecting multiple operating systems including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This issue stems from the integration of the third-party SQLite database library, which serves as a fundamental component in Apple's software architecture for data storage and management. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of these operating systems prior to the releases that incorporated SQLite version 3.19.3, creating a window of exposure for millions of devices worldwide. The affected systems include iOS versions before 11, macOS versions before 10.13, tvOS versions before 11, and watchOS versions before 4, indicating this flaw permeated Apple's entire product portfolio at the time of discovery.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies within the SQLite library's handling of malformed database files or specific data structures that trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying software. This flaw manifests as a potential for remote attackers to exploit the database engine's parsing mechanisms, leading to application crashes and system instability. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation, as it involves improper handling of input data that could originate from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the description indicates potential for unspecified other impacts, suggesting that attackers might be able to leverage this weakness for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or information disclosure. The remote exploitability aspect means that adversaries could potentially trigger this vulnerability without physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for mobile and embedded systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7130 is substantial across Apple's device ecosystem, affecting not only individual users but also enterprise environments that rely on these platforms for business operations. Mobile devices running affected versions become vulnerable to remote exploitation, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt device functionality or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the SQLite databases. This vulnerability directly affects the core functionality of applications that depend on SQLite for data persistence, including Apple's own applications as well as third-party software that integrates with the operating system's database infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly broad given that SQLite is used extensively throughout Apple's software stack, from system-level applications to user-facing productivity tools, creating multiple potential entry points for threat actors. Organizations and individual users who failed to update their systems remained exposed to persistent risks, as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or infected applications downloaded from app stores.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7130 centered on immediate system updates to versions that incorporated SQLite 3.19.3 or later, which addressed the underlying parsing vulnerabilities. Apple's release of iOS 11, macOS 10.13, tvOS 11, and watchOS 4 contained the necessary patches to resolve this issue. System administrators should have prioritized deployment of these updates across all managed devices, particularly in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of third-party dependency management and regular security assessments of integrated components. Organizations should have implemented network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and established incident response procedures to address any successful attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, with potential for lateral movement if attackers could establish persistent access through other means. The remediation process also emphasized the need for continuous vulnerability assessment and patch management protocols, as this vulnerability demonstrated how third-party components could introduce systemic risks across an entire operating system ecosystem.