CVE-2014-4458 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The "System Profiler About This Mac" component in Apple OS X before 10.10.1 includes extraneous cookie data in system-model requests, which might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4458 resides within Apple's OS X operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.10.1. This issue manifests in the "System Profiler About This Mac" component, which is responsible for gathering and displaying system information to users. The flaw represents a classic case of information disclosure through improper handling of authentication tokens or session data within system-level processes. The vulnerability stems from the inclusion of extraneous cookie data in system-model requests, which should not be present in such internal communications. This behavior creates an unintended data exposure channel that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to gather sensitive system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper sanitization or handling of cookie data within the system profiling mechanism. When the System Profiler component makes requests to gather system model information, it inadvertently includes additional cookie data that contains session identifiers or other authentication-related information. This occurs because the component does not properly filter or strip authentication tokens from requests that should remain internal to the system. The flaw essentially allows for the leakage of cookie data through system-level communications that are not intended to carry such information. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a form of data leakage that occurs through improper handling of authentication state information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and could potentially be exploited through various attack vectors that leverage the exposed cookie data for further malicious activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4458 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked cookie data could potentially be used to impersonate system processes or gain unauthorized access to system resources. Attackers could potentially reconstruct session information or authentication tokens from the exposed cookie data, which might enable them to perform privilege escalation or gain deeper access to system components. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers could potentially leverage this information exposure from outside the system, particularly if the affected system is configured to expose system profiling information through network services. This vulnerability affects the core operating system functionality and represents a fundamental flaw in how authentication tokens are managed within system-level components. The impact is particularly concerning because it affects the foundational system profiling capabilities that are used for legitimate system administration and troubleshooting.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4458 primarily involve updating to Apple OS X 10.10.1 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates promptly. The fix implemented by Apple likely involved modifying the System Profiler component to properly sanitize cookie data before making system-model requests, ensuring that only necessary information is transmitted. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual cookie data patterns in system communications, which could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in system-level components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 for Indicator Removal on Host. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of system components to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other applications and services. The remediation process should include verifying that the patch has been properly applied and that no residual cookie data is being exposed through system profiling mechanisms.