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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2016-7656 Apple CVE debrief

CVE-2016-7656 is an Apple WebKit memory-corruption issue that can be triggered by a crafted website. According to the CVE record, it affects iOS before 10.2, Safari before 10.0.2, iCloud before 6.1, and iTunes before 12.5.4, and may allow arbitrary code execution or a denial of service through an application crash. The NVD record rates it 8.8 HIGH and shows a network-reachable, user-interaction-dependent attack path, so patching and version verification should be treated as a priority for any Apple deployment that handles untrusted web content.

Vendor
Apple
Product
CVE-2016-7656
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

Security teams and device managers responsible for Apple fleets, especially environments with users browsing the web, using Safari, or running WebKit-based content in iOS, iCloud, or iTunes workflows.

Technical summary

The NVD record classifies the issue as CWE-119 and assigns CVSS 3.0 vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. In practical terms, a remote attacker can deliver a crafted web page that causes memory corruption in WebKit, which may result in code execution or a crash. Because exploitation requires only web delivery plus user interaction, exposure is highest where users routinely visit untrusted sites or open attacker-controlled links.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Update affected Apple products to the first fixed releases referenced by Apple’s advisories and the CVE description.
  • Confirm fleet coverage for iOS, Safari, iCloud, and iTunes versions listed as affected in the CVE record.
  • Prioritize patch verification on systems where users browse untrusted content or where WebKit is embedded in user-facing workflows.
  • Review Apple’s listed advisories and the NVD entry to reconcile affected versions with your inventory.
  • Monitor for unexpected browser or application crashes until remediation is complete.

Evidence notes

This debrief is based only on the supplied CVE record and the linked official/associated references. The CVE was publicly published on 2017-02-20; the later 2026-05-13 modification timestamp is metadata and not the issue date. No exploit proof, PoC, or unsupported claims were used. NVD lists Apple vendor advisories and third-party references alongside the official CVE and NVD entries.

Official resources

Public disclosure date used here is 2017-02-20, matching the CVE and NVD publication timestamp supplied in the source corpus.