CVE-2014-2019 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The iCloud subsystem in Apple iOS before 7.1 allows physically proximate attackers to bypass an intended password requirement, and turn off the Find My iPhone service or complete a Delete Account action and then associate this service with a different Apple ID account, by entering an arbitrary iCloud Account Password value and a blank iCloud Account Description value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-2019 represents a critical security flaw in Apple iOS versions prior to 7.1 within the iCloud subsystem. This weakness allows attackers with physical proximity to the device to bypass legitimate authentication mechanisms that should protect sensitive iCloud services. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication flow for iCloud account management functions, particularly the Find My iPhone service and account deletion processes. Attackers can exploit this flaw by entering arbitrary iCloud account passwords while leaving the iCloud account description field blank, effectively circumventing the normal security checks that should validate user identity before permitting critical account modifications.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks within the iCloud subsystem's user interface components. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of improper access control where the system fails to properly validate that the provided credentials correspond to the legitimate account owner. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the fact that the system accepts blank or arbitrary values for certain authentication fields without proper verification. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a failure in the authentication process that should have validated the legitimacy of account modification requests. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the device level where physical access can be gained, making it a prime target for attackers who can directly interact with the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to account modifications that can have significant consequences for user privacy and security. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can completely disable the Find My iPhone service, which removes a critical security feature that helps locate lost or stolen devices. Additionally, the ability to delete accounts and reassociate services with different Apple IDs creates opportunities for account takeover attacks and data compromise. This vulnerability directly impacts the security model of iOS devices by undermining the trust model that should protect user accounts from unauthorized modifications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only physical proximity rather than network-based access, making it more difficult to detect and prevent. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1531 which covers Account Access Removal, and T1078 which covers Valid Accounts as it allows unauthorized access to legitimate user accounts through manipulation of authentication flows.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to iOS version 7.1 or later where Apple has implemented proper authentication checks and input validation. Organizations should ensure all iOS devices are updated to the latest available versions to protect against this and similar vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unusual account modification patterns, particularly around Find My iPhone service changes and account deletions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms within mobile operating systems. Security teams should conduct regular assessments of mobile device security configurations and ensure that authentication flows are properly validated before permitting critical account modifications. Device management solutions should be configured to enforce mandatory OS updates and monitor for unauthorized account changes that could indicate exploitation attempts. The fix implemented by Apple in iOS 7.1 demonstrates proper security engineering practices by enforcing stricter validation of authentication inputs and ensuring that account modification requests require proper verification before being processed.