CVE-2018-4128 in iCloud
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.3 is affected. Safari before 11.1 is affected. iCloud before 7.4 on Windows is affected. iTunes before 12.7.4 on Windows is affected. tvOS before 11.3 is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4128 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's WebKit rendering engine that affects multiple operating systems and applications. This security issue resides in the core web browsing component responsible for processing and displaying web content across Apple's ecosystem. The flaw manifests in iOS versions prior to 11.3, Safari versions before 11.1, iCloud for Windows versions prior to 7.4, iTunes for Windows versions before 12.7.4, and tvOS versions prior to 11.3, demonstrating the widespread impact of this particular vulnerability across Apple's software portfolio. The vulnerability specifically targets the WebKit component which serves as the foundation for web rendering in Apple's browsers and applications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web-based attack vectors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that occurs when processing crafted web content, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This type of flaw typically arises from improper input validation or buffer overflow conditions within the WebKit engine's parsing and rendering logic. The memory corruption vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the application's memory space, potentially leading to complete system compromise through code execution. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would be categorized as a memory corruption issue, specifically related to improper handling of memory operations within web rendering components. The flaw's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the vulnerability through malicious websites without requiring any local interaction from the victim, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4128 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to full system compromise. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to affected systems, potentially enabling them to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The memory corruption aspect creates a high-risk scenario where attackers can manipulate application behavior through carefully crafted web content, leading to either denial of service conditions or more severe code execution attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts Apple's security model by undermining the sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms that are fundamental to iOS and macOS security architecture, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK framework's relevance to remote code execution techniques. The vulnerability affects not just mobile devices but also desktop applications, creating a comprehensive attack surface that spans multiple platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4128 require immediate patching of affected systems with the appropriate security updates from Apple. Users should upgrade to iOS 11.3, Safari 11.1, iCloud 7.4, iTunes 12.7.4, or tvOS 11.3 respectively, as these versions contain the necessary fixes for the WebKit memory corruption vulnerability. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider temporary network restrictions for accessing untrusted websites. Security administrators should also ensure that all Apple devices within their environment are kept up to date with the latest security patches, particularly given the remote exploitability of this vulnerability. The patching process should be prioritized based on risk assessment, with high-risk environments requiring immediate attention. Additionally, implementing web filtering solutions and browser security enhancements can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits should verify that all affected components have been properly updated and that no legacy systems remain vulnerable to this particular memory corruption attack vector.