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CVE-2016-4685 Apple CVE debrief

CVE-2016-4685 describes a weakness in Apple’s iTunes Backup component on affected iOS devices where passwords were hashed improperly, which could make encrypted backup files easier to decrypt. The CVE was publicly disclosed on 2017-02-20. The CVE description says iOS before 10.1 is affected, while NVD’s vulnerable CPE criteria list iPhone OS through 10.0.3, so the precise affected range should be confirmed from Apple’s advisory.

Vendor
Apple
Product
CVE-2016-4685
CVSS
MEDIUM 5.9
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

Organizations and individuals that relied on iOS device backups for sensitive data protection, especially admins managing older Apple devices or backup workflows that depended on built-in iTunes Backup encryption.

Technical summary

NVD classifies the issue as CWE-326 (inadequate encryption strength). The vulnerable component is the iTunes Backup mechanism, where password hashing was implemented in a way that reduced resistance to offline decryption of backup files. NVD rates the issue CVSS 3.0 5.9 (medium) with a network-adjacent impact profile limited to confidentiality.

Defensive priority

Medium. This is a confidentiality-focused weakness affecting backup protection rather than code execution or device takeover, but it matters if sensitive data was stored in encrypted backups on affected iOS versions.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Review Apple’s advisory for the exact affected iOS versions and update guidance.
  • Upgrade affected iOS devices to a fixed release at or above the vendor-recommended version.
  • Assume backup confidentiality may be weaker on impacted devices and re-evaluate whether old encrypted backups should still be trusted.
  • If backups contain sensitive data, rotate any credentials or secrets that may have been exposed through older backup sets.
  • Prefer current Apple-supported devices and software versions for environments that handle regulated or high-value data.

Evidence notes

Source corpus states: Apple iOS before 10.1 is affected; NVD vulnerable CPE criteria list cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:* ... versionEndIncluding 10.0.3. NVD assigns CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N and CWE-326. References supplied include Apple’s vendor advisory and a SecurityFocus BID entry.

Official resources

Publicly disclosed on 2017-02-20; NVD last modified on 2026-05-13. Use the CVE publication date for incident timing, not later processing dates.