CVE-2018-4095 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.2.5 is affected. tvOS before 11.2.5 is affected. watchOS before 4.2.2 is affected. The issue involves the "Core Bluetooth" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4095 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's Core Bluetooth framework affecting multiple operating systems including iOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This issue resides in the foundational Bluetooth communication layer that enables wireless device connectivity and data exchange between Apple devices and external peripherals. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the Core Bluetooth component, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt normal operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that occurs when processing specially crafted Bluetooth advertisements or connection requests. Attackers can exploit this flaw by developing malicious applications that send malformed Bluetooth data packets to target devices running vulnerable versions of Apple's operating systems. When the Core Bluetooth framework processes these crafted inputs without proper sanitization, it leads to unpredictable memory state changes that can result in arbitrary code execution within the privileged system context. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4095 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This means that compromised devices could be used to install malicious software, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple devices including iPhones, iPads, Apple TV sets, and Apple Watch units, making it particularly dangerous as it could potentially compromise numerous user endpoints. The attack surface is further expanded because Bluetooth is a commonly used wireless protocol that remains active even when devices are in standby mode, providing attackers with multiple opportunities for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems through official Apple software updates. Users should promptly install iOS 11.2.5, tvOS 11.2.5, and watchOS 4.2.2 releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations managing Apple device fleets should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all endpoints receive the updates. Network administrators should consider monitoring Bluetooth traffic for suspicious patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though this approach remains challenging due to the low-level nature of the vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059 technique for execution through legitimate system processes, emphasizing the need for both endpoint protection and network monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.