CVE-2014-4408 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The rt_setgate function in the kernel in Apple iOS before 8 and Apple TV before 7 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and device crash) via a crafted call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4408 represents a critical kernel-level flaw in Apple's mobile operating systems affecting iOS versions prior to 8.0 and Apple TV versions prior to 7.0. This issue resides within the rt_setgate function which is responsible for managing routing table entries in the kernel networking subsystem. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within this function, creating a scenario where malicious local users can exploit the system through crafted network calls. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that can be triggered by manipulating routing table entries, ultimately leading to system instability and potential privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the rt_setgate function failing to properly validate the size and contents of routing table entries before processing them. When a local user crafts a specific network call containing malformed routing table data, the function attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This out-of-bounds memory access results in unpredictable behavior including system crashes, kernel panics, and device instability. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where it can bypass normal user-space protections and access critical system resources. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, which is a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to information disclosure, system crashes, or potentially more severe exploitation scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security and availability risks for affected Apple devices. Local users can leverage this flaw to either cause persistent denial of service conditions by repeatedly crashing the device networking stack or potentially escalate privileges to gain elevated system access. The device crash conditions can be triggered through normal network operations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for mobile environments where users may not be aware of the underlying exploitation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a pathway for local users to gain higher privileges within the system. Additionally, the denial of service aspect maps to T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, demonstrating how this vulnerability can be weaponized to disrupt device functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4408 require immediate system updates to the latest available iOS and Apple TV versions that contain patches addressing the kernel-level memory handling issue. Apple's patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation within the rt_setgate function, ensuring that routing table entries are properly validated before processing. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual routing table modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel security hardening and proper memory management practices in mobile operating systems. Security teams should also consider implementing device management policies that enforce automatic updates and monitor for unauthorized system modifications that could facilitate exploitation of similar kernel-level vulnerabilities.