CVE-2014-4460 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CFNetwork in Apple iOS before 8.1.1 and OS X before 10.10.1 does not properly clear the browsing cache upon a transition out of private-browsing mode, which makes it easier for physically proximate attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading cache files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2022
This vulnerability resides in Apple's CFNetwork framework which serves as the core networking library for iOS and macOS operating systems. The flaw specifically affects versions prior to iOS 8.1.1 and OS X 10.10.1, creating a persistent security issue where private browsing sessions do not properly cleanse cached data when users exit private mode. The technical implementation fails to adequately sanitize memory and storage components that retain temporary browsing artifacts, creating a data leakage vector that undermines the fundamental privacy protections intended by private browsing functionality.
The vulnerability operates through a cache persistence mechanism where temporary files and memory segments containing sensitive user data remain accessible even after private browsing sessions terminate. This occurs because the system does not perform complete cache clearing operations during the transition from private to regular browsing modes. Attackers exploiting this weakness can access cached information including web page content, form data, cookies, and other browsing artifacts that should have been automatically purged upon session termination. The issue represents a failure in proper resource cleanup and memory management practices within the networking stack.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for physically proximate attackers who can directly access the device's storage to retrieve cached information. The attack vector requires minimal technical skill and physical proximity to the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be left unattended. Users who frequently switch between private and regular browsing modes may unknowingly expose sensitive information through cached data that persists on the device. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise user privacy, session hijacking, and credential exposure through cached authentication tokens or form submissions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information disclosure, and demonstrates weak handling of sensitive data in memory management contexts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue maps to T1005 - Data from Local System and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage cached data to reconstruct user activities and potentially gain additional access vectors. The flaw also reflects poor application security practices related to proper cleanup of temporary resources and inadequate sandboxing of sensitive browsing contexts. Organizations should implement immediate patching strategies to address this vulnerability, while users should be educated about the risks of switching between private and regular browsing modes without proper session management. Additional mitigations include enhanced device security policies, regular cache clearing procedures, and monitoring for unauthorized access to cached data stores. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper memory management and resource cleanup in security-sensitive applications, particularly those handling user privacy and sensitive information.