CVE-2018-4137 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.3 is affected. Safari before 11.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Safari Login AutoFill" component. It allows remote attackers to read autofilled data by leveraging lack of a user-confirmation requirement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-4137 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's Safari browser and iOS operating system implementations. This issue specifically targets the Safari Login AutoFill component, which is designed to automatically populate login credentials and other sensitive information when users visit web pages. The vulnerability exists in iOS versions prior to 11.3 and Safari versions prior to 11.1, affecting a significant portion of Apple's user base during that time period. The flaw stems from insufficient user confirmation mechanisms that should normally be required before auto-filling sensitive data, creating a dangerous gap in the browser's security architecture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of improper authorization and insufficient user confirmation, which aligns with CWE-603 and CWE-668 classifications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web pages that trigger the auto-fill functionality without requiring explicit user interaction or confirmation. This allows unauthorized access to sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and other autofilled data that users have stored in their browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the browser's credential management system and its integration with the operating system's security frameworks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to user privacy and data security, particularly in environments where users may unknowingly navigate to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond individual user accounts to potentially compromise entire organizational security postures, especially in corporate environments where employees may use Apple devices for both personal and professional activities. The lack of user confirmation requirement means that even unsuspecting users could have their sensitive data exposed without their knowledge, creating a persistent threat vector that could be exploited for credential theft, identity fraud, and other malicious activities. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK framework's credential access techniques, specifically targeting the collection of stored credentials through browser-based exploitation.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to the patched versions of iOS and Safari as recommended by Apple. Users should immediately update their systems to iOS 11.3 and Safari 11.1 or later versions to eliminate the security gap. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all Apple devices within their networks receive timely updates. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted websites and maintaining vigilance when interacting with web forms. Network monitoring solutions can help detect unusual patterns of credential access attempts, while browser security extensions and enhanced privacy settings can provide additional layers of protection. System administrators should also consider implementing security policies that restrict access to potentially malicious websites and regularly audit browser configurations to ensure proper security settings are maintained across all user devices.