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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2016-7659 Apple CVE debrief

CVE-2016-7659 is an Apple Audio-component memory corruption issue that can be triggered by a crafted file. The supplied record describes remote code execution as well as denial of service via application crash. NVD assigns a high-severity CVSS 3.0 score (8.8) with network attack vector and user interaction required.

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

Apple device owners, IT and endpoint security teams, mobile device managers, and anyone responsible for supported or legacy iOS, macOS, or watchOS fleets. Systems that process untrusted files or media should be prioritized for validation and patch compliance.

Technical summary

The supplied NVD record describes a memory corruption flaw in Apple’s Audio component. An attacker who can cause a target to process a crafted file may achieve arbitrary code execution or crash the application, depending on exploitation conditions. The CVSS vector in the record is AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, and the listed weakness is CWE-119. The corpus also lists vulnerable Apple OS CPEs and vendor advisory references.

Defensive priority

High for any exposed or still-supported Apple systems that are not confirmed patched; otherwise medium as a historical assurance item for inventory, update verification, and legacy-device retirement.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Confirm affected devices are running Apple releases at or beyond the fixed versions referenced in the corpus and vendor advisories.
  • Inventory iOS, macOS, and watchOS endpoints to identify any systems still on vulnerable builds.
  • Use MDM or endpoint management to enforce OS update compliance and block drift to unsupported versions.
  • Treat untrusted files and media as a patch-validation trigger for legacy devices until remediation is confirmed.
  • If any vulnerable devices cannot be updated, isolate them or retire them from sensitive workflows.

Evidence notes

Based on the supplied NVD record and CVE metadata: the description states iOS before 10.2, macOS before 10.12.2, and watchOS before 3.1.3 are affected; the NVD CPE list in the corpus also marks Apple iPhone OS through 10.1.1, macOS through 10.12.1, and watchOS through 2.2.2 as vulnerable. The record includes CVSS 3.0 vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H and CWE-119. No exploit details are provided beyond the crafted-file trigger and resulting code execution or crash.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2016-7659 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-7659

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

  • CVE-2016-7659 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-7659

    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.