CVE-2014-4367 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Apple iOS before 8 enables Voice Dial during all upgrade actions, which makes it easier for physically proximate attackers to launch unintended calls by speaking a telephone number.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-4367 represents a significant security flaw in Apple iOS versions prior to 8.0 where the voice dial feature remains active during system upgrade processes, creating an unintended attack vector for physically proximate adversaries. This issue stems from the improper handling of voice input mechanisms during critical system operations, where the device fails to properly disable voice-activated functions that could be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw specifically impacts the device's upgrade procedures, which include both software updates and system restoration processes, making it particularly concerning as these are routine operations that users perform regularly.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows attackers to leverage the voice dial functionality to place unintended calls without requiring authentication or complex exploitation techniques. During upgrade actions, the system's voice recognition subsystem remains accessible, enabling an attacker to speak a telephone number which would then be dialed automatically. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege, as the system does not properly restrict access to voice-activated features during sensitive operations. The vulnerability is classified as a security misconfiguration issue that could be categorized under CWE-668, which deals with exposure of resource to the wrong sphere, specifically in the context of voice input mechanisms being exposed during system maintenance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized calls, as it could enable more sophisticated attacks such as premium rate number dialing, emergency service abuse, or even social engineering attacks where the unintended calls could be used to gather information or create confusion. The proximity requirement means that physical access to the device is necessary, but this limitation does not mitigate the risk significantly, as many upgrade scenarios occur in public or semi-public spaces where unauthorized access could be gained. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to make calls to expensive numbers, trigger emergency services, or disrupt normal device operations. The vulnerability affects all iOS devices running versions before 8.0, representing a broad attack surface that would impact millions of users.
From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of secure defaults and proper access control during system operations. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.008 which covers voice-based command execution, and represents a failure in the system's ability to properly isolate voice input mechanisms during critical operations. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-215, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper access control, as the voice dial feature should not be accessible during system upgrades. Mitigation strategies should focus on proper system design that disables voice-activated features during upgrade processes, implementing proper access controls, and ensuring that all input mechanisms are properly secured during system maintenance operations. The fix implemented by Apple in iOS 8.0 likely involved disabling voice dial functionality during upgrade procedures and ensuring proper input mechanism isolation during system operations.