CVE-2014-4418 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
IOKit in Apple iOS before 8 and Apple TV before 7 does not properly validate IODataQueue object metadata, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via an application that provides crafted values in unspecified metadata fields, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-4388.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4418 resides within Apple's IOKit framework, a critical component of the operating system that manages hardware device interactions and kernel-level operations. This flaw affects iOS versions prior to 8.0 and Apple TV software versions prior to 7.0, representing a significant security weakness that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the IODataQueue object metadata handling, which forms part of the kernel extension communication infrastructure that bridges user-space applications with kernel-space services. The issue specifically manifests when applications attempt to provide crafted metadata values that bypass the normal validation checks implemented by the IOKit subsystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a privilege escalation mechanism where an attacker-controlled application can manipulate the metadata fields of IODataQueue objects to inject malicious code execution sequences. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within a privileged kernel context, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries that normally protect the operating system from malicious code injection. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue that leverages improper input validation, aligning with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation and CWE-787 - Out-of-bounds Write patterns. The attack vector requires an application to be installed on the target device, as the vulnerability is triggered through crafted metadata values that are processed by the kernel-level IOKit framework during device communication operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4418 is severe and far-reaching, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise without requiring physical access or additional attack vectors. Once an attacker achieves kernel-level execution, they can manipulate system files, extract sensitive data, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to mobile device security, as it allows for the installation of malicious applications that can escalate privileges and gain unrestricted access to the device's core functionality. The exploitation chain typically involves installing a malicious application that leverages the vulnerable IOKit interface to execute code in kernel space, effectively granting the application the same privileges as the operating system itself. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the attacker can execute arbitrary code through legitimate system interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4418 primarily focus on system updates and patch management, as Apple released iOS 8.0 and Apple TV 7.0 to address this vulnerability. Organizations and users should immediately apply the relevant security updates to prevent exploitation of this privilege escalation vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications, monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities, and maintaining regular security assessments of mobile device environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in kernel-level code and demonstrates how seemingly minor validation flaws can result in catastrophic security consequences. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities within the IOKit framework that may present analogous attack surfaces.