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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
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

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.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2016-7656 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-7656

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

  • CVE-2016-7656 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7656

    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.