CVE-2014-4487 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in IOHIDFamily in Apple iOS before 8.1.3, Apple OS X before 10.10.2, and Apple TV before 7.0.3 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4487 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the IOHIDFamily component of Apple's operating systems. This issue affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS versions prior to 8.1.3, macOS versions before 10.10.2, and Apple TV software before 7.0.3. The IOHIDFamily serves as a core subsystem responsible for handling human interface device communications and input processing within the operating system kernel. The buffer overflow occurs when the system fails to properly validate input data during the processing of device communication requests, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the IOHIDFamily driver implementation. When a malicious application attempts to communicate with hardware devices through the HID interface, the system processes incoming data without sufficient validation of buffer sizes. This allows an attacker to craft specially designed input data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the handling of device descriptor information and communication protocols that are essential for proper device operation within the kernel space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing the normal security boundaries of the operating system. This privilege escalation allows malicious actors to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a crafted application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through legitimate app distribution channels or social engineering attacks. Once exploited, the attacker maintains elevated privileges that can be used to modify system files, install additional malware, or establish persistent access to the compromised device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4487 primarily focus on applying the official security updates provided by Apple. The patched versions of iOS 8.1.3, macOS 10.10.2, and Apple TV 7.0.3 contain the necessary fixes that implement proper bounds checking and memory validation within the IOHIDFamily component. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches across all affected systems, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple devices may be vulnerable. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted applications, monitoring system logs for suspicious device communication patterns, and maintaining up-to-date endpoint protection solutions. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, representing 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' within the adversary tactics framework. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security controls and proper input validation in preventing privilege escalation attacks that can compromise entire operating system environments.