PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2016-4683 Apple CVE debrief
CVE-2016-4683 is an Apple ImageIO vulnerability affecting macOS before 10.12.1. According to the NVD record, a crafted SGI file can trigger out-of-bounds memory access and application crash, with the potential for arbitrary code execution. The weakness is classified as CWE-119, and NVD assigns it a high CVSS 3.0 score of 7.8. From a defensive perspective, this is a file-parsing memory-safety issue that matters anywhere untrusted image content can be opened or processed on affected macOS systems. The safest interpretation of the source material is to treat it as a high-priority macOS update issue for systems still on 10.12.0 or earlier.
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- CVE-2016-4683
- CVSS
- HIGH 7.8
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2017-02-20
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-05-13
- Advisory published
- 2017-02-20
- Advisory updated
- 2026-05-13
Who should care
macOS administrators, endpoint security teams, and users who process untrusted image files should care most. Systems running macOS before 10.12.1, especially those that handle SGI images or other externally supplied media, are the highest-priority candidates for review and patching.
Technical summary
The affected component is Apple ImageIO. The vulnerability is described as being reachable through a crafted SGI file and can cause out-of-bounds memory access, application crash, or arbitrary code execution. NVD maps the issue to CWE-119 and lists the affected macOS range as versions through 10.12.0. The NVD CVSS vector is CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating user interaction is required in the modeled attack path.
Defensive priority
High. Apply the Apple security update referenced by the NVD record as soon as practical on any macOS system at or below 10.12.0. Because the weakness can affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability, systems that routinely open untrusted files should be prioritized first.
Recommended defensive actions
- Update affected macOS systems to a version newer than 10.12.0, as Apple and NVD indicate the issue is fixed by macOS 10.12.1 or later.
- Review systems that process untrusted image content, especially SGI files, and prioritize them for patch validation.
- Use the Apple security advisory referenced by NVD (HT207275) to confirm remediation coverage for your fleet.
- If patching cannot be immediate, reduce exposure by limiting untrusted file handling on affected hosts until the update is applied.
- Track affected endpoints through vulnerability management to confirm no pre-10.12.1 systems remain in production or in offline use.
Evidence notes
Source evidence comes from the supplied NVD record and its references. NVD states the issue affects macOS through 10.12.0, is associated with ImageIO, and involves a crafted SGI file causing out-of-bounds memory access and crash, with possible arbitrary code execution. The record also lists CWE-119 and the CVSS 3.0 vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. References attached to the NVD entry include Apple support advisory HT207275 and SecurityFocus BID 94431.
Official resources
NVD published this CVE on 2017-02-20. The supplied record cites Apple advisory HT207275 and SecurityFocus BID 94431 as references.