Critical Vulnerability CVE-2016-7661: Safeguard Your iOS and macOS Systems

Executive Summary

CVE-2016-7661 is a critical vulnerability identified in Apple products, specifically affecting iOS versions prior to 10.2 and macOS versions prior to 10.12.2. This vulnerability, found in the "Power Management" component, allows local users to gain elevated privileges through unspecified vectors related to Mach port name references. Given the high CVSS score of 7.8, it is imperative for organizations to understand the technical details, potential exploitation, and mitigation strategies to safeguard their systems.

Technical Information

CVE-2016-7661 is a privilege escalation vulnerability that resides in the "Power Management" component of Apple’s iOS and macOS operating systems. The vulnerability allows local users to gain elevated privileges by exploiting Mach port name references. The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) v3.0 has assigned this vulnerability a base score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The vector string for CVSS v3.0 is CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, which translates to the following:

• Attack Vector (AV): Local
• Attack Complexity (AC): Low
• Privileges Required (PR): Low
• User Interaction (UI): None
• Scope (S): Unchanged
• Confidentiality (C): High
• Integrity (I): High
• Availability (A): High

The CVSS v2.0 base score is 7.2, with a vector of (AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C). The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-264, which pertains to Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls.

The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. This could lead to a complete compromise of the affected system, making it crucial for users to apply the necessary patches.

Exploitation in the Wild

As of now, there have been no specific reports of CVE-2016-7661 being exploited in the wild. However, the potential for exploitation remains high due to the nature of the vulnerability. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code, leading to a full system compromise. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) for this vulnerability would include unusual system behavior, unauthorized access attempts, and unexpected privilege escalations.

APT Groups using this vulnerability

While there are no confirmed reports of Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups exploiting CVE-2016-7661, the high severity of the vulnerability makes it an attractive target for such groups. APT groups often target critical sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and technology. Organizations in these sectors should be particularly vigilant and ensure that their systems are updated to mitigate this vulnerability.

Affected Product Versions

The following product versions are affected by CVE-2016-7661:

• iOS versions prior to 10.2
• macOS versions prior to 10.12.2

Users of these versions are strongly advised to update their systems to the latest versions to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.

Workaround and Mitigation

Apple has addressed CVE-2016-7661 in the following updates:

• iOS 10.2: The issue was resolved by improving the handling of Mach port name references.
• macOS 10.12.2: The issue was resolved by improving the handling of Mach port name references.

Users are strongly advised to update their devices to these versions or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement robust security practices, including regular system updates, monitoring for unusual activity, and employing least privilege principles to minimize the impact of potential exploits.

References

For further details and resources, please refer to the following links:

• NVD - CVE-2016-7661: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7661
• Apple Security Updates: https://support.apple.com/HT207422
• Exploit-DB - Exploit 40931: https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40931/
• Exploit-DB - Exploit 40958: https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40958/
• SecurityFocus - BID 94906: http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94906
• SecurityTracker - ID 1037469: http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037469

Rescana is here for you

At Rescana, we are committed to helping our customers navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity threats. Our Continuous Threat and Exposure Management (CTEM) platform provides comprehensive monitoring and analysis to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities like CVE-2016-7661. If you have any questions about this report or any other cybersecurity concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at ops@rescana.com. We are here to assist you in safeguarding your digital assets.