CVE-2014-4491 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The extension APIs in the kernel in Apple iOS before 8.1.3, Apple OS X before 10.10.2, and Apple TV before 7.0.3 do not prevent the presence of addresses within an OSBundleMachOHeaders key in a response, which makes it easier for attackers to bypass the ASLR protection mechanism via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-4491 represents a significant weakness in Apple's operating system security architecture that specifically targets the Address Space Layout Randomization protection mechanism. This flaw exists within the kernel extension APIs of iOS, macOS, and Apple TV operating systems, creating a pathway for attackers to extract critical memory layout information that should remain randomized for security purposes. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of OSBundleMachOHeaders keys in kernel responses, which inadvertently exposes memory addresses that are typically randomized to prevent exploitation. This issue affects versions prior to iOS 8.1.3, macOS 10.10.2, and Apple TV 7.0.3, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which deals with exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and specifically relates to information exposure through improper API design that leaks memory addresses. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability directly undermines the effectiveness of ASLR, a fundamental security mitigation technique that randomizes the memory layout of processes to make exploitation more difficult. Attackers can leverage this information disclosure to craft more sophisticated exploits that bypass memory protection mechanisms, potentially leading to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. The flaw operates at the kernel level where extension APIs process responses containing OSBundleMachOHeaders, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by malicious applications without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical design flaw in how kernel extension APIs handle memory address information, creating a side-channel attack vector that reveals the memory layout of system processes. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning as it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055 which involves process injection and memory manipulation techniques that can be facilitated by information disclosure attacks. The exposure of memory addresses through kernel extension APIs creates a pathway for attackers to bypass modern exploit mitigation techniques, including stack canaries, non-executable stacks, and other memory protection mechanisms. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it fundamentally weakens the security posture of the affected operating systems by providing attackers with the precise memory locations needed for more advanced exploitation techniques. Organizations and users should prioritize updating to the patched versions to restore proper ASLR functionality and prevent potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of careful API design in kernel-level code and the critical need for thorough security reviews of system interfaces that handle sensitive memory information. This issue represents a failure in proper information hiding principles where kernel interfaces should not expose internal memory layout details to user-space applications, particularly those that may be malicious or compromised. The security implications extend to all applications running on the affected platforms, as the vulnerability can be exploited through crafted applications that leverage the exposed memory addresses to bypass security protections. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of running unpatched systems that contain known vulnerabilities in core operating system components. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor API design decisions can have significant security implications when they inadvertently leak information that should remain protected within the system's memory management layer.