CVE-2016-7637

HIGH

iPhone OS < 10.2, macOS < 10.12.2, watchOS < 3.1.3 - Kernel Memory Corruption

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 4 public exploits for CVE-2016-7637. PoCs published by Google Security Research, martinpham, shaibow.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This PoC exploits a reference counting bug in macOS's Mach port handling (CVE-2016-7637), allowing a sandboxed process to manipulate another process's port names, potentially leading to privilege escalation or sandbox escape.

Description

An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 10.2 is affected. macOS before 10.12.2 is affected. watchOS before 3.1.3 is affected. The issue involves the "Kernel" component. It allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unspecified vectors.

Exploits (4)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · clocalmacos
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40957

This PoC exploits a reference counting bug in macOS's Mach port handling (CVE-2016-7637), allowing a sandboxed process to manipulate another process's port names, potentially leading to privilege escalation or sandbox escape.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: macOS (XNU kernel) up to 10.12.1
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable macOS system · Ability to send Mach messages between processes
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Google Security Research · textlocalmultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40931

This exploit targets a race condition in the `set_dp_control_port` MIG method in macOS/iOS kernels, allowing root-to-kernel privilege escalation. The PoC demonstrates a race condition leading to a use-after-free or reference count manipulation, enabling arbitrary kernel memory manipulation.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Racy
Target: macOS 10.12 (16A323) and iOS 10.1.1 (14B100)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Physical or remote access to a vulnerable macOS/iOS device · Xcode for building the exploit · iOS binaries for arm64 devices
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
gitlab WORKING POC
by martinpham · poc
https://gitlab.com/martinpham/mach_portal

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2016-7637, targeting iOS 10.1.1. It includes kernel exploit code, sandbox escape mechanisms, and a root shell payload, demonstrating a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability in the XNU kernel.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Racy
Target: Apple iOS 10.1.1
No auth needed
Prerequisites: iOS device running 10.1.1 · Xcode for compilation · kernel offsets for specific device models
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 23, 2026 Full analysis →
gitlab WORKING POC
by shaibow · poc
https://gitlab.com/shaibow/mach_portal

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2016-7637, targeting iOS 10.1.1. It includes kernel exploit code, sandbox escape mechanisms, and a root shell payload, demonstrating a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability in the XNU kernel.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Racy
Target: Apple iOS 10.1.1 (XNU kernel)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: iOS device running 10.1.1 · Xcode for compilation · kernel offsets for specific device models
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 23, 2026 Full analysis →

References (7)

Core 7
Core References
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40957/
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://support.apple.com/HT207487
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40931/
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://support.apple.com/HT207422
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94905
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037469
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://support.apple.com/HT207423

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.0018
EPSS Percentile 39.0%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-119
Status published
Products (3)
apple/iphone_os < 10.1.1
apple/mac_os_x < 10.12.1
apple/watchos < 2.2.2
Published Feb 20, 2017
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026