CVE-2017-13861

HIGH

Safari Webkit Proxy Object Type Confusion

Title source: metasploit
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2017-13861. PoCs published by Google Security Research, saelo, niklasb, Ian Beer, siguza, including Metasploit module exploits/apple_ios/browser/webkit_createthis.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a reference counting bug in IOSurfaceRootUserClient (CVE-2017-13861) to achieve local privilege escalation (LPE) on iOS and macOS. The vulnerability arises from incorrect MIG lifetime management, leading to a use-after-free condition.

Description

An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.2 is affected. tvOS before 11.2 is affected. watchOS before 4.2 is affected. The issue involves the "IOSurface" component. It 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 Google Security Research · textdosmultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43320

This exploit leverages a reference counting bug in IOSurfaceRootUserClient (CVE-2017-13861) to achieve local privilege escalation (LPE) on iOS and macOS. The vulnerability arises from incorrect MIG lifetime management, leading to a use-after-free condition.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apple iOS 11.0.3, macOS 10.13
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a vulnerable iOS/macOS device
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC MANUAL
by saelo, niklasb, Ian Beer, siguza · rubypocapple_ios
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/apple_ios/browser/webkit_createthis.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a type confusion vulnerability in WebKit (CVE-2018-4233) to achieve arbitrary memory read/write, followed by a kernel exploit (CVE-2017-13861) to gain root privileges on iOS. It chains these exploits to bypass sandboxing and execute a Meterpreter payload.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Racy
Target: Apple Safari (WebKit) on iOS 11.3.1 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be running a vulnerable version of iOS with Safari · Attacker must deliver the exploit via a malicious webpage
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (8)

Core 8
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/102134
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://support.apple.com/HT208327
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43320/
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://support.apple.com/HT208325
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039953
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://support.apple.com/HT208334
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039952

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.1489
EPSS Percentile 96.3%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-119
Status published
Products (3)
apple/iphone_os < 11.2
apple/tvos < 11.2
apple/watchos < 4.2
Published Dec 25, 2017
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026