CVE-2014-4407 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
IOKit in Apple iOS before 8 and Apple TV before 7 does not properly initialize kernel memory, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive memory-content information via an application that makes crafted IOKit function calls.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4407 represents a critical memory initialization flaw within Apple's IOKit framework that affected iOS versions prior to 8.0 and Apple TV versions prior to 7.0. This issue resides in the kernel-level subsystem responsible for device driver management and hardware interaction within Apple's operating systems. The fundamental problem occurs when IOKit functions process crafted calls without properly initializing kernel memory regions, creating potential information disclosure channels that could be exploited by malicious applications. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper initialization of resources, which is classified as CWE-459, and specifically relates to memory management within kernel space. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient memory sanitization can create persistent security weaknesses in operating system components that handle privileged operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the ability of a malicious application to craft specific IOKit function calls that trigger the improper memory initialization behavior. When such calls are made, the kernel fails to properly clear or initialize memory regions before returning data to user-space applications, potentially exposing previously allocated memory content that may contain sensitive information from other processes or kernel structures. This type of information disclosure can reveal cryptographic keys, passwords, personal data, or other confidential information stored in memory. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where applications have elevated privileges and can access memory regions that would normally be protected from direct user-space access. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform reconnaissance and gather intelligence about the system's internal state, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4407 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a foundational weakness that enables additional attack vectors within the Apple ecosystem. When combined with other vulnerabilities or used in conjunction with privilege escalation techniques, this memory disclosure issue can provide attackers with critical insights into system memory layout and internal structures. The vulnerability affects a core component of Apple's operating systems that manages hardware interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate application interfaces while still maintaining kernel-level access. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1003.001 for Credential Dumping and T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to gather sensitive information that can be used for further exploitation. The memory disclosure can reveal information about other running processes, kernel structures, and potentially sensitive data that has been temporarily stored in memory.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4407 primarily involve updating affected systems to versions that properly initialize kernel memory before returning data to applications. Apple released iOS 8.0 and Apple TV 7.0 updates that addressed this vulnerability by implementing proper memory initialization procedures within the IOKit framework. System administrators should ensure that all devices running affected versions are updated promptly to prevent exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing application sandboxing policies that limit the ability of applications to make low-level IOKit calls, monitoring for suspicious IOKit function usage patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of kernel-level components. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address kernel-level vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications while maintaining the security improvements. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in kernel-level code and serves as a reminder of how seemingly minor initialization flaws can create significant security risks in operating system components that handle privileged operations and hardware interaction.