CVE-2017-7982 in libimobiledevice
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the plist_from_bin function in bplist.c in libimobiledevice/libplist before 2017-04-19 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted plist file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7982 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the libimobiledevice/libplist library ecosystem, specifically affecting the plist_from_bin function in bplist.c. This library serves as a fundamental component for handling property list files across various mobile device management and development tools, making it a prime target for exploitation in mobile security contexts. The vulnerability manifests when processing binary plist files, which are commonly used in iOS device communication protocols and mobile application development workflows. The affected version range indicates that this flaw existed for several years prior to the patch release on April 19, 2017, exposing numerous systems that relied on this library for plist parsing operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper integer overflow handling within the plist_from_bin function, where the library fails to properly validate or sanitize integer values during binary plist parsing operations. When a maliciously crafted plist file is processed, the function attempts to perform arithmetic operations that result in integer overflow conditions, leading to heap-based buffer over-read scenarios. This occurs because the library calculates buffer sizes or array indices using potentially malicious input values that exceed the normal range of expected integer values. The overflow causes the application to allocate insufficient memory or access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, creating a condition where the program attempts to read from or write to unauthorized memory regions. This fundamental flaw in input validation and integer handling directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-190, which addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to buffer overflows and memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7982 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it creates a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within mobile device management and development environments. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious plist files that, when processed by applications using the vulnerable libplist library, trigger heap-based buffer over-read conditions leading to application crashes and system instability. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including mobile device management tools, iOS development environments, and various enterprise mobile security solutions that depend on proper plist file handling. This creates a significant risk in enterprise environments where mobile device management systems may be targeted by attackers seeking to disrupt operations or gain unauthorized access to mobile device configurations and data. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access to systems, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where mobile device communication occurs.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service attacks, particularly within mobile device management contexts. The flaw enables adversaries to cause system instability and potentially disrupt legitimate mobile device operations, which could be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting mobile infrastructure. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of mobile security frameworks and incident response procedures, as it represents a common class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access or cause operational disruptions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow protection in security-critical libraries that handle user-provided data, particularly in mobile device ecosystems where device management and configuration data flows through standardized protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7982 should prioritize immediate patching of affected libplist libraries to version 2017-04-19 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for integer overflow conditions in the plist parsing functions. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems and applications utilizing vulnerable versions of libimobiledevice/libplist, particularly those involved in mobile device management, iOS development, or enterprise mobile security operations. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation for plist files in mobile device management systems, deploying network monitoring to detect suspicious plist file transfers, and establishing secure coding practices that prevent integer overflow conditions in similar libraries. Security teams should also consider implementing application sandboxing and privilege separation mechanisms to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular vulnerability scanning procedures to identify and remediate similar issues in other mobile device management components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security libraries and implementing proper security testing procedures for mobile device management infrastructure.