CVE-2014-4377 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in CoreGraphics in Apple iOS before 8 and Apple TV before 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted PDF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4377 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Apple's CoreGraphics framework that affected iOS versions prior to 8.0 and Apple TV versions prior to 7.0. This vulnerability resides in the PDF processing capabilities of these operating systems, specifically within how the CoreGraphics rendering engine handles certain mathematical operations during PDF document parsing. The integer overflow occurs when processing malformed PDF documents that contain crafted numerical values exceeding the maximum representable integer limits, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior in the application's memory management and execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent weakness in how CoreGraphics processes integer calculations during PDF rendering operations. When a malicious PDF document contains specially crafted integer values that exceed the bounds of the data type being used, the system experiences an integer overflow condition that can result in memory corruption. This memory corruption can be manipulated by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, ultimately allowing for arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected application. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the graphics rendering level where PDF documents are processed, making it accessible through standard PDF viewing operations without requiring special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious document.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4377 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full system compromise potential. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, installing malicious software, or using the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within a network environment. The vulnerability affects not only individual user devices but also enterprise environments where iOS and Apple TV devices may be used to access corporate resources, creating potential pathways for lateral movement and data exfiltration. Additionally, the denial of service aspect means that attackers can reliably crash applications and potentially cause system instability, disrupting normal operations and creating availability issues for users and organizations.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-190, which identifies integer overflow conditions as a primary weakness in software systems. The attack surface is further characterized by ATT&CK technique T1059, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to execute malicious code through legitimate system processes. The exploitation mechanism aligns with T1203, which involves manipulating application vulnerabilities to achieve code execution. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt deployment of security patches from Apple, network monitoring for suspicious PDF-related traffic, and user education about avoiding untrusted PDF documents. Additionally, network segmentation and application whitelisting can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all affected systems have been properly updated to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of timely patch management and the critical nature of graphics rendering components in modern operating systems.