CVE-2017-13863:A vulnerability in Apple iOS before version 11 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to track users by exploiting the APNs component's client certificate transmission.

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Description Preview

CVE-2017-13863 is a certificate validation vulnerability (CWE-295) affecting the Apple Push Notification service (APNs) component in iOS devices running versions prior to iOS 11. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by leveraging the transmission of client certificates. This security flaw could enable attackers to track users' activities and potentially compromise their privacy by intercepting communication between the device and Apple's push notification servers.

Overview

This vulnerability affects the Apple Push Notification service (APNs) in iOS versions before 11. The issue stems from improper certificate validation (CWE-295) in the APNs component. When iOS devices communicate with Apple's push notification servers, they transmit client certificates that could be intercepted by attackers positioned between the user and the server. By exploiting this vulnerability, attackers can track users' activities, compromising their privacy and potentially gathering sensitive information about their device usage patterns. This tracking capability represents a significant privacy risk for affected iOS users.

Remediation

To address this vulnerability, users should update their iOS devices to version 11 or later. Apple has patched this security issue in iOS 11, which improves certificate handling in the APNs component. The update prevents the exploitation of client certificate transmission for tracking purposes. Users can check their current iOS version by navigating to Settings > General > About and looking for the "Software Version" entry. If running an affected version, users should update immediately through Settings > General > Software Update. Organizations managing iOS devices should ensure all devices are updated to a patched version through their mobile device management (MDM) solutions.

References

  1. Apple Security Advisory: https://support.apple.com/HT208112
  2. Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE-295): Certificate Validation Issues - https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/295.html
  3. MITRE CVE Entry: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2017-13863

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  2. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  3. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  4. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  5. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  6. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  7. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  8. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  9. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  10. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  11. Information
    Information
  12. Utilities
    Utilities
  13. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  14. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  15. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  16. Construction
    Construction
  17. Mining
    Mining
  18. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  19. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade
  20. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services

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