CVE-2014-4357 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Accounts Framework in Apple iOS before 8 and Apple TV before 7 allows attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading log data that was not intended to be present in a log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4357 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within Apple's Accounts Framework implementation across iOS versions prior to 8 and Apple TV versions prior to 7. This security weakness stems from inadequate access controls and data sanitization mechanisms within the logging infrastructure that processes account-related operations. The vulnerability specifically affects how the system handles sensitive authentication and authorization data during account management processes, creating potential exposure points for attackers who can exploit the flawed logging mechanisms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of sensitive account information within application logs. When users perform account operations such as authentication, authorization, or account modifications, the system generates log entries that contain not only operational data but also inadvertently include sensitive credential information, session tokens, or other confidential account details. This occurs due to insufficient filtering or sanitization of data before logging, allowing attackers to access these log files through various attack vectors including physical device access, remote exploitation, or system compromise scenarios. The flaw operates under the weakness category of CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001 for data staging through log files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers who can access these log files gain access to potentially sensitive account credentials, authentication tokens, and personal information that could enable further exploitation. This includes but is not limited to user identifiers, authentication challenges, session information, and potentially even encrypted credential data that could be used to impersonate users or gain unauthorized access to associated services. The vulnerability creates a persistent exposure window where compromised log files can serve as attack vectors for lateral movement within networks or for credential reuse attacks against other systems. Attackers can leverage this information to conduct identity theft, perform unauthorized transactions, or establish persistent access to user accounts and associated services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4357 require comprehensive system hardening measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader logging security practices. Organizations should implement strict log sanitization protocols that ensure sensitive data is stripped from log entries before storage, utilize encrypted log storage mechanisms, and establish proper access controls for log file systems. The recommended approach includes deploying automated log parsing and filtering systems that identify and remove sensitive information from log entries, implementing regular log review procedures to detect potential exposure, and upgrading affected systems to patched versions where available. Additionally, system administrators should enforce principle of least privilege access to log files, implement file integrity monitoring, and establish network segmentation controls to limit access to sensitive log data. These measures align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-92 for log management and ISO 27001 requirements for information security controls, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar information disclosure vulnerabilities.