CVE-2014-4484 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
FontParser in Apple iOS before 8.1.3, Apple OS X before 10.10.2, and Apple TV before 7.0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted .dfont file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4484 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's FontParser component that affected multiple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 8.1.3, OS X versions before 10.10.2, and Apple TV versions before 7.0.3. This issue resides in the font handling mechanism that processes .dfont files, which are Data Fork font files commonly used in macOS and iOS environments. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management when parsing these font files, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through maliciously crafted font data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious .dfont file is processed by the affected systems, leading to improper memory handling that results in either arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption issue that can cause application crashes or potentially allow remote attackers to execute code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in font parsing libraries due to insufficient bounds checking during file processing. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be delivered remotely through various means including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites that automatically attempt to render font files.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4484 extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for remote code execution on vulnerable systems. This capability allows adversaries to gain unauthorized access to affected devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Apple products including mobile devices, desktop computers, and set-top boxes, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where these systems are commonly deployed. Organizations running affected versions of Apple operating systems face increased risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious font files through social engineering or compromised web content. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the target device, making it particularly dangerous in corporate or public network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate system updates and patches provided by Apple to address the memory corruption issues within the FontParser component. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Apple devices to the latest supported versions, specifically iOS 8.1.3, OS X 10.10.2, and Apple TV 7.0.3 or later. Additionally, network administrators should implement defensive measures including email filtering to block suspicious font file attachments, web content filtering to prevent access to potentially malicious font files, and network monitoring to detect anomalous file processing activities. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unknown font files and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility with existing applications and system configurations. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in font handling libraries, as similar issues continue to be discovered in various operating systems and applications across the industry.