Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2016-4656 is a high-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Apple Iphone Os. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Security Account Manager (T1003.002); ranked in the top 2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
The vulnerability tracked as CVE-2016-4656 is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) memory corruption flaw in the kernel of Apple iOS versions prior to 9.3.5. It received a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, reflecting local attack requirements but high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability when successfully triggered.
An attacker can exploit the issue by supplying a crafted application that the victim must install and run. Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution in a privileged kernel context or triggers a denial of service through memory corruption; no elevated privileges are required beyond the ability to execute the malicious app on the device.
Apple addressed the flaw in iOS 9.3.5, as detailed in the vendor’s security announcement and support document HT207107. Public references also link the vulnerability to the Trident/Pegasus spyware campaign, confirming real-world exploitation against targeted iOS devices prior to the patch release.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2016-5642
Vulnerability Data
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.
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 24 May 2022
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Out-of-bounds writes that corrupt control flow or inject shellcode are rendered non-executable by the same memory protections.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Vulnerability scanning and recording can discover out-of-bounds write flaws so they can be remediated.
Patching or replacing vulnerable software directly eliminates known instances of this coding weakness.
Secure-development practices (static analysis, bounds checking, code review) are the primary means of preventing out-of-bounds writes.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.