CVE-2018-4143 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.3 is affected. macOS before 10.13.4 is affected. tvOS before 11.3 is affected. watchOS before 4.3 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 (memory corruption) via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
This vulnerability resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating systems, representing a critical security flaw that affects multiple device families. The issue stems from improper handling of memory management within the kernel space, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability impacts iOS versions prior to 11.3, macOS versions before 10.13.4, tvOS versions before 11.3, and watchOS versions before 4.3, indicating a widespread exposure across Apple's ecosystem. The kernel serves as the core operating system component responsible for system resource management and security enforcement, making any vulnerability within this realm particularly dangerous as it can undermine the fundamental security model of the entire platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a crafted application that manipulates memory structures in ways that trigger memory corruption within the kernel. This type of flaw typically arises from insufficient input validation or improper memory allocation handling, allowing attackers to overwrite critical kernel memory locations or manipulate execution flow. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions, both of which are common mechanisms for kernel exploitation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain root privileges, bypass security restrictions, or cause system instability through denial of service conditions. The memory corruption aspect suggests that the vulnerability may allow for arbitrary code execution or system crashes, depending on the specific exploitation technique employed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a fundamental breach in the security architecture that can enable sophisticated attacks. Once exploited, the malicious application could access sensitive system data, modify critical system files, or establish persistent backdoors within the device. This vulnerability particularly concerns security researchers because it affects multiple Apple platforms simultaneously, suggesting a systemic issue in the kernel implementation that requires immediate patching across all affected versions. The impact on users includes potential data breaches, unauthorized access to personal information, and complete system compromise. Organizations relying on Apple devices for business operations face significant risk exposure, as this vulnerability could be exploited by threat actors to gain access to corporate networks through endpoint devices, aligning with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and persistence techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of the relevant security patches provided by Apple, specifically updating to iOS 11.3, macOS 10.13.4, tvOS 11.3, and watchOS 4.3 or later versions. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability's exploitation can occur through seemingly legitimate applications. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mobile device management solutions, application whitelisting policies, and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of kernel-level security and the need for robust memory management practices in operating system development. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential compromises. The remediation process should include verification of patch installation and monitoring for any signs of system instability or unauthorized access that might indicate successful exploitation attempts.