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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2016-7646 Apple CVE debrief

CVE-2016-7646 is an Apple WebKit memory-corruption issue that can be triggered by a crafted website. The impact described in the CVE record is remote code execution or denial of service via application crash. Because the attack is network-reachable and requires only user interaction, this is a high-priority browser and endpoint patching issue for Apple ecosystems. The CVE description states that iOS before 10.2, Safari before 10.0.2, iCloud before 6.1, and iTunes before 12.5.4 are affected. The NVD record also lists vulnerable CPE ranges for iphone_os, Safari, iCloud, and iTunes, with version end points that are slightly different from the prose description; both should be checked against vendor guidance when validating exposure.

Vendor
Apple
Product
CVE-2016-7646
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

Apple device administrators, endpoint security teams, browser/application owners, and users running the affected iOS, Safari, iCloud, or iTunes versions should care. Any environment that relies on Apple WebKit-based browsing or embeds WebKit-driven content should prioritize verification and patching.

Technical summary

NVD classifies the weakness as CWE-119 and gives the vector CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. That combination indicates a remotely reachable flaw with low attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction needed. The vulnerable component is WebKit; the described outcome is memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution or an application crash when a crafted site is rendered.

Defensive priority

High. The issue affects widely deployed Apple software, is remotely reachable through web content, and carries a high CVSS score with full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact in the vector.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Confirm whether any iOS, Safari, iCloud, or iTunes installations are at or below the affected versions listed in the CVE record and NVD CPE criteria.
  • Apply Apple vendor updates referenced in the NVD record for the relevant product line as soon as practical.
  • Prioritize externally exposed and frequently used browsing endpoints, since the trigger is a crafted website.
  • Revalidate patch status after remediation using inventory or MDM/endpoint management tooling.
  • Review Apple advisory references and NVD details before closing exposure tickets, especially where version numbering differs between the CVE prose and NVD CPE criteria.

Evidence notes

All factual claims in this debrief are drawn from the supplied CVE record and NVD source item metadata. The CVE description explicitly names WebKit, the affected Apple products and versions, and the impact (remote code execution or denial of service via memory corruption and application crash). NVD lists CWE-119 and the CVSS v3 vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, along with Apple vendor-advisory references and vulnerable CPE criteria. Note that the prose version ranges in the CVE description and the NVD CPE end versions are not identical; both were preserved as source evidence rather than reconciled beyond what the corpus supports.

Official resources

Publicly disclosed in the CVE record on 2017-02-20. Timing here uses the CVE published date supplied in the corpus; no later publication or review date is treated as the issue date.