CVE-2018-4136 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13.4 is affected. The issue involves the "Kernel" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4136 represents a critical kernel-level flaw affecting macOS versions prior to 10.13.4. This issue resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating system, which serves as the core foundation responsible for system-level operations and resource management. The kernel operates with the highest privilege level and controls access to hardware resources, making any vulnerability in this component particularly dangerous as it can potentially provide attackers with elevated system access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing crafted applications. An attacker can exploit this flaw by developing or distributing a malicious application designed to trigger the specific kernel code path that contains the buffer overflow vulnerability. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, system instability, or arbitrary code execution. The flaw allows an attacker to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially accessing sensitive kernel data or manipulating system behavior.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4136 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, effectively granting them complete system control. This capability can lead to persistent backdoor installation, data exfiltration, system compromise, and denial of service conditions that can render affected systems unusable. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction beyond executing the malicious application, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass security controls, escalate privileges, and maintain persistent access to compromised systems.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.003, which covers scripting and command execution through kernel-level modifications. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious application that triggers the kernel memory access error, leading to privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory operating system updates to macOS 10.13.4 or later versions, which contain patches addressing this specific kernel vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for suspicious application execution patterns and consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel security and highlights how flaws in low-level system components can have far-reaching consequences for overall system integrity and user security.