CVE-2016-4656

HIGH KEV RANSOMWARE

iPhone OS < 9.3.5 - Remote Code Execution via Memory Corruption

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2016-4656 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added May 24, 2022, with confirmed use in ransomware campaigns. EIP tracks 2 public exploits from researchers including Metasploit, qwertyoruiop, siguza, tihmstar, benjamin-42, timwr, including a Metasploit module exploits/apple_ios/browser/webkit_trident.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This Metasploit module exploits a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in WebKit's JavaScriptCore library (CVE-2016-4657) to achieve remote code execution on iOS devices. It leverages memory corruption techniques to bypass mitigations and execute arbitrary payloads.

Description

The kernel in Apple iOS before 9.3.5 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremoteios
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44836

This Metasploit module exploits a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in WebKit's JavaScriptCore library (CVE-2016-4657) to achieve remote code execution on iOS devices. It leverages memory corruption techniques to bypass mitigations and execute arbitrary payloads.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WebKit (JavaScriptCore) on Apple iOS
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must visit a malicious webpage or open a crafted link · Vulnerable version of WebKit on iOS
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC MANUAL
by qwertyoruiop, siguza, tihmstar, benjamin-42, timwr · rubypocapple_ios
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/apple_ios/browser/webkit_trident.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in WebKit's JavaScriptCore library (CVE-2016-4655) to achieve remote code execution on iOS devices. It leverages memory corruption techniques to bypass mitigations and execute arbitrary payloads.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Racy
Target: WebKit (JavaScriptCore) on Apple iOS
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must visit a malicious webpage · Target device must be running a vulnerable version of iOS
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (7)

Core 7
Core References
Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44836/
Release Notes, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://support.apple.com/HT207107
Mailing List, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_apple
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Aug/msg00000.html
Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92652
Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036694

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.6533
EPSS Percentile 98.5%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CISA KEV 2022-05-24
VulnCheck KEV 2016-08-15
InTheWild.io 2016-08-15
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2016-5642
Ransomware Use Confirmed
CWE
CWE-787
Status published
Products (1)
apple/iphone_os < 9.3.5
Published Aug 25, 2016
KEV Added May 24, 2022
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026