CVE-2018-4035 in CleanMyMac X
Summary
by MITRE
The CleanMyMac X software contains an exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability that exists due to improper input validation. An attacker with local access could use this vulnerability to modify the file system as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4035 resides within the CleanMyMac X software ecosystem, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that fundamentally compromises system security. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's architecture, creating a pathway for malicious actors to elevate their privileges from standard user level to root access. The vulnerability specifically affects macOS environments where CleanMyMac X is installed, making it particularly relevant for enterprise and individual users who rely on this system optimization tool. The flaw exploits the software's failure to properly sanitize user inputs, allowing crafted malicious data to bypass normal security restrictions and execute with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the software's interaction with system-level processes and file operations that require root permissions. When CleanMyMac X processes certain user inputs or configuration parameters, it fails to validate the integrity and legitimacy of these inputs before executing privileged operations. This validation gap enables an attacker to inject malicious payloads or manipulate system calls that should only be executable by the root user. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor through which local attackers can manipulate the file system directly, bypassing the standard macOS security model that separates user processes from system-critical operations. The flaw operates at the kernel level or through system service interactions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring network connectivity or complex attack vectors.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations and individuals who have CleanMyMac X installed on their systems. Attackers with local access can leverage this flaw to install persistent backdoors, modify critical system files, escalate their privileges further, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The impact extends beyond simple file system modification as it allows for complete system compromise through the root privilege escalation. Security professionals must understand that this vulnerability can be exploited through simple local access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security is compromised or where users have access to shared systems. The vulnerability also affects the integrity of the system's security model, as it undermines the fundamental principle that only authorized processes should operate with root privileges. This makes it a prime target for advanced persistent threats that seek long-term access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4035 should begin with immediate software updates from the vendor, as this vulnerability was addressed through patches that corrected the input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive software inventory management to identify all instances of CleanMyMac X across their networks and ensure all installations are updated to the latest versions. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring, privileged access management, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a common weakness in software security, and it relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated software versions that may contain similar validation flaws, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader architectural security weaknesses that may be present in other applications or system components.