CVE-2017-7165 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 execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7165 resides within Apple's WebKit component, which serves as the foundational rendering engine for Safari and numerous other Apple applications across multiple platforms. This critical security flaw affects a broad range of Apple products including iOS versions prior to 11.2, Safari versions before 11.0.2, iCloud for Windows versions before 7.2, iTunes for Windows versions before 12.7.2, tvOS versions before 11.2, and watchOS versions before 4.2. The vulnerability represents a memory corruption issue that can be exploited by remote attackers through maliciously crafted websites, creating a significant attack surface that spans across Apple's ecosystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within WebKit's JavaScript engine implementation, specifically manifesting as a heap-based buffer overflow or memory corruption flaw. Attackers can leverage this weakness by hosting malicious web content that, when loaded in affected browsers or applications, triggers the corrupted memory state. The exploitation mechanism typically involves carefully crafted JavaScript code or web content that manipulates memory pointers or buffer boundaries in ways that lead to arbitrary code execution or application crashes. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1203 for exploitation for execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7165 extends far beyond individual device compromise, as it affects Apple's entire product portfolio including mobile devices, desktop applications, and embedded systems. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability can result in complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to install malicious software, exfiltrate data, or maintain persistent access to compromised devices. The memory corruption aspect also enables denial of service attacks that can crash applications and potentially cause system instability. Organizations and individuals using affected Apple products face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where web browsing is prevalent, as the attack vector requires no special privileges or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The widespread impact across multiple Apple platforms including mobile, desktop, and embedded systems creates a complex mitigation challenge that requires coordinated patch management across diverse device types.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7165 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security measures. Apple released security updates for all affected versions, including iOS 11.2, Safari 11.0.2, iCloud 7.2, iTunes 12.7.2, tvOS 11.2, and watchOS 4.2, which address the underlying memory corruption issue. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these security patches across all affected Apple devices within their environment. Additional protective measures include implementing web filtering solutions to block known malicious domains, disabling JavaScript in web browsers when not required, and employing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for users about avoiding suspicious websites and downloads remains crucial, as this vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics that encourage users to visit malicious sites. The remediation process should also include monitoring for indicators of compromise such as unusual network traffic patterns or unauthorized application installations that may indicate successful exploitation attempts.