PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2016-7587 Apple CVE debrief
CVE-2016-7587 is a high-severity Apple WebKit issue that could let a remote attacker trigger memory corruption by luring a user to a crafted website. The impact described by the CVE entry includes arbitrary code execution and denial of service through application crash. Because exploitation requires user interaction and targets widely used Apple clients, remediation should be prioritized for systems still running affected versions.
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- Unknown
- CVSS
- HIGH 8.8
- 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
Organizations and individuals using Apple iOS devices, Safari, iCloud, or iTunes installations that may still be on vulnerable versions. Security and endpoint management teams should also care because the issue is browser- or content-driven and may affect users simply by visiting a malicious site.
Technical summary
The CVE describes a WebKit memory corruption flaw in Apple products. NVD lists CVSS v3.0 vector CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating network reachability, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction required. The reported impact is remote code execution or denial of service via a crafted website. The NVD record also maps the issue to CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer).
Defensive priority
High. The vulnerability is remotely reachable through web content, affects multiple Apple product lines, and has a high CVSS score with potential high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. Even though user interaction is required, browser-facing issues generally deserve prompt patching because exposure is broad and initial access can be low-friction.
Recommended defensive actions
- Update affected Apple products to the fixed releases identified in vendor guidance and the CVE description.
- Prioritize remediation on devices that browse the web or regularly open untrusted content.
- Inventory Apple endpoints and verify whether any installations remain on versions within the vulnerable ranges.
- Use the linked Apple vendor advisories and NVD record to confirm product-specific fixes before scheduling remediation.
- Monitor for crashes or anomalous browser behavior on unpatched legacy systems until they are updated or retired.
Evidence notes
Source data identifies Apple as the vendor and WebKit as the affected component. The CVE description states iOS before 10.2, Safari before 10.0.2, iCloud before 6.1, and iTunes before 12.5.4 are affected. The NVD CPE criteria in the same source item enumerate vulnerable versions up to iPhone OS 10.1.1, Safari 10.0.1, iCloud 6.0.1, and iTunes 12.5.3. This debrief preserves both published version references because they appear in the supplied corpus, even though they are not identical. No KEV entry or ransomware campaign use is indicated in the provided enrichment.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2016-7587 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-7587
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
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CVE-2016-7587 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7587
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
-
Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201706-15
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://support.apple.com/HT207421
[email protected] - Vendor Advisory
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://support.apple.com/HT207422
[email protected] - Vendor Advisory
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://support.apple.com/HT207424
[email protected] - Vendor Advisory
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://support.apple.com/HT207427
[email protected] - Vendor Advisory
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.