CVE-2016-1761

libxml2 in Apple iOS before 9.3, OS X before 10.11.4, and watchOS before 2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service…

published March 24, 2016

CVSS
—
EPSS
7%
Percentile
94.0
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A malicious XML document is the not-so-secret key here! This vulnerability lets attackers execute arbitrary code on vulnerable Apple devices, from iOS to watchOS. 🔥 Think of this like a sneaky delivery person slipping a dangerous package into a mailbox without anyone checking the contents — once it's in, who knows what could happen! 📦 An attacker could potentially take over your device or cause it to crash, leading to a denial of service. This kind of memory corruption is not just troublesome; it could give someone full control over your personal device, which is absolutely devastating! 😱

Put simply

Think of this like a sneaky delivery person slipping a dangerous package into a mailbox without anyone checking the contents — once it's in, who knows what could happen! 📦 This vulnerability arises in libxml2, where crafted XML documents can trigger memory corruption, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code without proper validation. Essentially, it’s a flaw in how XML is processed, making it a sneaky vector for exploits.

What to do

An attacker could potentially take over your device or cause it to crash, leading to a denial of service. This kind of memory corruption is not just troublesome; it could give someone full control over your personal device, which is absolutely devastating! 😱 To protect your devices, update to iOS 9.3, OS X 10.11.4, or watchOS 2.2 or later right away. Regularly check for updates to ensure security patches are applied, as these updates often include crucial fixes for vulnerabilities like this one. You've got this! Keeping your devices updated is your first line of defense against sneaky vulnerabilities like this one. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.06906 · 94.0th percentile
Published
2016-03-24T01:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 24 MAR 01:00Z
    libxml2 in Apple iOS before 9.3, OS X before 10.11.4, and watchOS before 2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service…
    cvelistv5