CVE-2017-7153 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.2 is affected. Safari before 11.0.2 is affected. iCloud before 7.2 on Windows is affected. iTunes before 12.7.2 on Windows is affected. tvOS before 11.2 is affected. watchOS before 4.2 is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component. It allows remote attackers to spoof user-interface information (about whether the entire content is derived from a valid TLS session) via a crafted web site that sends a 401 Unauthorized redirect.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7153 resides within Apple's WebKit component, which serves as the foundational web rendering engine across multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, Safari, tvOS, and watchOS. This security flaw specifically affects versions prior to the mentioned updates, creating a persistent risk across Apple's ecosystem where WebKit handles web content rendering and security validation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web security protocols and user interface trust mechanisms, exploiting how browsers handle authentication redirects and TLS session validation. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the visual representation of security indicators that users rely upon when browsing the web.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted website that deliberately sends a 401 Unauthorized redirect response. This specific HTTP status code triggers a particular behavior in WebKit's handling of authentication challenges and security indicators. When a user encounters such a redirect, the browser's user interface incorrectly displays information about the TLS session validity, potentially misleading users into believing they are connected to a secure session when they are not. This deception happens because the WebKit component fails to properly validate and communicate the true security state of the connection during the authentication redirect process. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to manipulate the browser's security indicators to appear as though the entire content originates from a valid TLS session, even when the connection may be compromised or untrusted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across Apple's entire product portfolio that utilizes WebKit, creating a significant risk for users engaging with web content across iOS devices, macOS systems, and Apple TV and Watch platforms. Users may be tricked into entering sensitive information on websites that appear secure but are actually being manipulated by attackers. The vulnerability particularly affects web browsing scenarios where authentication is required, such as accessing corporate networks, financial services, or any website that implements authentication challenges. The deception occurs at the user interface level, making it difficult for users to detect that their security indicators are being manipulated, which could lead to credential theft, data interception, or other malicious activities. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses inadequate session management, and represents a specific implementation weakness in how WebKit handles authentication redirects and security state communication.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is particularly insidious as it requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques beyond crafting a malicious website. Attackers can leverage this flaw by simply creating a website that sends a 401 Unauthorized redirect to a user's browser, causing the WebKit engine to display misleading security information. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile platforms, amplifying its potential impact across Apple's ecosystem. Users may encounter this deception during routine web browsing activities, especially when accessing websites that require authentication or when navigating through complex web applications. The flaw essentially undermines the fundamental security principle that users should be able to trust their browser's security indicators, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as man-in-the-middle scenarios or credential harvesting. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session validation and security indicator management in web browsers, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1557 for credential harvesting through web browser manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7153 require immediate deployment of Apple's security updates across all affected platforms, including iOS 11.2, Safari 11.0.2, iCloud 7.2, iTunes 12.7.2, tvOS 11.2, and watchOS 4.2. Organizations should prioritize patch management to ensure all Apple devices within their environment receive these updates promptly. Network administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious authentication redirect patterns and user behavior anomalies that might indicate exploitation attempts. Users should be educated about the importance of verifying security indicators manually and avoiding sensitive transactions on websites that trigger authentication challenges. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date browser security implementations and underscores the critical role that proper session validation plays in maintaining user trust in web security mechanisms. Regular security assessments of web applications and browser configurations should include verification of proper authentication redirect handling and security indicator integrity to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.