CVE-2016-4681 Apple CVE debrief

Who should care

Mac administrators, endpoint security teams, and users of macOS 10.12.0 or earlier—especially environments that regularly process untrusted JPEG files.

Technical summary

The NVD record maps this issue to macOS versions up to 10.12.0 and classifies it as CWE-119 (memory corruption). The published description says a crafted JPEG affecting the Core Image component can allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. NVD's CVSS 3.0 vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, which indicates the attack depends on user interaction with the malicious image.

Defensive priority

High. Patch any remaining macOS 10.12.0 or earlier systems immediately, and treat systems that routinely handle untrusted JPEGs as the highest priority.

Recommended defensive actions

• Upgrade affected Macs to macOS 10.12.1 or later.
• Inventory endpoints to confirm no systems remain on macOS 10.12.0 or earlier.
• Prioritize patching devices that regularly handle untrusted JPEG files.
• Use standard endpoint and application controls to reduce exposure to untrusted image content until patched.

Evidence notes

The corpus includes the CVE record, the NVD detail page, and Apple's vendor advisory reference. NVD lists the vulnerable CPE as macOS versions ending at 10.12.0, the weakness as CWE-119, and the CVSS 3.0 vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The description states the impact is arbitrary code execution or denial of service via a crafted JPEG processed by Core Image.

Official resources