PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2016-7607 Apple CVE debrief
CVE-2016-7607 is an Apple kernel information disclosure issue affecting iOS, macOS, and watchOS versions identified in the CVE record. A crafted app could expose sensitive information from kernel memory, making this a confidentiality-focused flaw with medium severity.
- Vendor
- Apple
- Product
- Unknown
- CVSS
- MEDIUM 5.5
- 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
Apple fleet administrators, endpoint security teams, MDM operators, and users responsible for iOS, macOS, or watchOS devices within the affected version ranges.
Technical summary
The NVD record classifies this issue as CWE-200 with CVSS 3.0 vector CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. That means the issue is locally reachable, requires user interaction, and primarily impacts confidentiality by allowing disclosure of sensitive kernel memory contents. The supplied record and vendor references point to Apple advisories for the affected products.
Defensive priority
Medium — prioritize patching on any Apple devices still running vulnerable versions, especially managed fleets that may lag in update adoption.
Recommended defensive actions
- Update affected Apple devices to the vendor-fixed versions referenced by Apple advisories.
- Inventory iOS, macOS, and watchOS builds to confirm whether any devices remain within the affected ranges.
- Use MDM or endpoint compliance tooling to verify update deployment and prevent drift back to vulnerable versions.
- Treat unknown or untrusted app installation pathways as higher risk until systems are fully updated.
- Review telemetry for unexpected app behavior or abnormal access patterns on unpatched devices.
Evidence notes
This debrief is based on the supplied CVE description, the NVD metadata, and the official Apple advisory links listed in the source record. The CVE was published on 2017-02-20 and modified on 2026-05-13. One data-quality note: the prompt description says affected versions are before iOS 10.2, macOS 10.12.2, and watchOS 3.1.3, while the NVD CPE criteria in the supplied record list end versions of iOS 10.1.1, macOS 10.12.1, and watchOS 2.2.2. Verify exact fixed versions against the Apple advisories.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2016-7607 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-7607
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
-
CVE-2016-7607 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7607
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
-
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/HT207423
[email protected] - Vendor Advisory
-
Mitigation or vendor reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://support.apple.com/HT207487
[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.