CVE-2017-7145 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11 is affected. The issue involves the "Time" component. The "Setting Time Zone" feature mishandles the possibility of using location data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7145 represents a significant security flaw in Apple's iOS operating system affecting versions prior to iOS 11. This weakness resides within the time management functionality of the affected devices, specifically concerning how the system handles time zone settings when location data is involved. The issue stems from inadequate validation and processing of location-based time zone information, creating potential security risks for users of affected Apple devices.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of location data when setting time zones on iOS devices. When a device attempts to automatically configure its time zone based on the user's location, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the location information received from various sources. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and weak input sanitization as classified by CWE-20. The system does not adequately verify the legitimacy of location data before using it to set the device's time zone, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate the time zone settings through spoofed location information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple time zone confusion, as incorrect time zone settings can affect numerous security-critical functions within the iOS ecosystem. Time zone information directly influences cryptographic operations, certificate validation, and authentication processes that rely on accurate timekeeping. Attackers could exploit this weakness to manipulate device time settings, potentially bypassing time-based security mechanisms such as SSL/TLS certificate expiration checks, two-factor authentication timeouts, and other time-sensitive security protocols. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where an attacker might leverage the time manipulation to execute malicious code or bypass security controls.
The security implications of CVE-2017-7145 are particularly concerning in enterprise environments where precise time synchronization is crucial for security operations. When a device's time zone is incorrectly set through location spoofing, it can lead to cascading security failures including failed authentication attempts, invalid security certificates, and disrupted network security protocols. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient privilege separation and inadequate input validation that could enable attackers to perform time-based attacks, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other time-sensitive security breaches. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat modeling efforts, particularly when assessing risks related to location-based services and automatic time zone configuration features.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on updating affected devices to iOS 11 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper validation mechanisms for location data used in time zone settings. System administrators should prioritize patch management and ensure all iOS devices within their environment are updated to the latest supported versions. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual time zone changes, implementing network-level controls to restrict location data access for sensitive applications, and maintaining awareness of location-based services that might expose the device to similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also involve reviewing and updating security policies related to automatic time zone configuration to prevent unauthorized manipulation of system time settings through location spoofing techniques.