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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2016-7612 Apple CVE debrief

CVE-2016-7612 is an Apple kernel memory-corruption issue that could let a crafted app execute code in a privileged context or trigger a denial of service. Apple addressed it in iOS 10.2, macOS 10.12.2, and watchOS 3.1.3. The NVD record rates the issue High severity with a CVSS 3.0 score of 7.8, reflecting the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Vendor
Apple
Product
Unknown
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

Apple endpoint administrators, mobile device management teams, security operations teams, and users of affected iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch systems should care. Organizations that allow third-party app installation or manage fleets with mixed OS versions should prioritize validation and remediation.

Technical summary

The vulnerability is in the Kernel component and is categorized by NVD as CWE-119. According to the CVE description, a crafted app can cause memory corruption, which may lead to arbitrary code execution in a privileged context or a denial of service. The CVSS vector indicates local attack conditions with required user interaction.

Defensive priority

High. Kernel-level memory corruption can have broad impact, and Apple issued fixes for multiple operating systems. Remediation should be prioritized for any system still running affected versions.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Update iOS devices to version 10.2 or later.
  • Update macOS systems to version 10.12.2 or later.
  • Update watchOS devices to version 3.1.3 or later.
  • Inventory Apple devices and verify no endpoints remain on affected versions.
  • Treat any installed app sources and app approval workflows as part of exposure reduction, since the issue involves a crafted app.
  • Use MDM or endpoint management reporting to confirm patch compliance across the fleet.

Evidence notes

NVD describes the issue as an Apple kernel memory corruption vulnerability affecting iOS before 10.2, macOS before 10.12.2, and watchOS before 3.1.3, with potential for privileged code execution or denial of service. The record also lists Apple vendor advisories for the affected releases. No KEV entry is provided in the supplied corpus.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2016-7612 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-7612

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2016-7612 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7612

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

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.