Apple watchOS up to 2.x libxml2 use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Apple watchOS up to 2.x. The affected element is an unknown function of the component libxml2. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2016-5131. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Apple watchOS up to 2.x (Smartwatch Operating System) and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is an unknown function of the component libxml2. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Use-after-free vulnerability in libxml2 through 2.9.4, as used in Google Chrome before 52.0.2743.82, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors related to the XPointer range-to function.

The bug was discovered 07/20/2016. The weakness was published 09/20/2016 by Nick Wellnhofer (Cloudfuzzer) with Tencent as HT207141 as confirmed advisory (Website). The advisory is shared for download at support.apple.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2016-5131 since 05/31/2016. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The advisory points out:

Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed through improved memory handling.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 3 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 92628 (Google Chrome < 52.0.2743.82 Multiple Vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 370091 (Google Chrome Prior to 52.0.2743.82 Multiple Vulnerabilities).

Upgrading to version 3 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (92628) and SecurityFocus (BID 92053†). Similar entries are available at VDB-90229, VDB-90230, VDB-90231 and VDB-90232. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.9

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 92628
Nessus Name: Google Chrome < 52.0.2743.82 Multiple Vulnerabilities
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 801105
OpenVAS Name: Apple Mac OS X Multiple Vulnerabilities-01 September-2016
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: watchOS 3

Timelineinfo

05/31/2016 🔍
07/20/2016 +50 days 🔍
07/20/2016 +0 days 🔍
07/23/2016 +3 days 🔍
07/29/2016 +6 days 🔍
09/20/2016 +53 days 🔍
09/20/2016 +0 days 🔍
09/26/2016 +6 days 🔍
12/04/2025 +3356 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: apple.com

Advisory: HT207141
Researcher: Nick Wellnhofer (Cloudfuzzer)
Organization: Tencent
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2016-5131 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2016-5131
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-92120

OVAL: 🔍

SecurityFocus: 92053 - Google Chrome Prior to 52.0.2743.82 Multiple Security Vulnerabilities
SecurityTracker: 1036428

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 09/26/2016 11:59
Updated: 12/04/2025 18:25
Changes: 09/26/2016 11:59 (68), 07/17/2019 16:02 (20), 09/21/2022 09:00 (3), 12/04/2025 18:25 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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