CVE-2018-4150 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 • 02/07/2021
This vulnerability resides within the kernel component of affected Apple operating systems, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that enables attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with system-level access. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, with specific versions below the mentioned thresholds being susceptible to exploitation. The kernel serves as the core component of operating systems responsible for managing system resources and hardware communication, making any vulnerability within this realm particularly dangerous as it can compromise the entire system integrity.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper memory handling within the kernel, allowing malicious applications to manipulate memory structures and potentially overwrite critical system data. Attackers can craft specially designed applications that exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to privileged execution contexts. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-122 which describes "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" or similar memory corruption categories, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The memory corruption occurs during kernel operations where insufficient bounds checking or improper memory management allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Once an attacker gains kernel-level privileges, they can bypass all standard security controls, access encrypted data, modify system files, and potentially install additional malware. The vulnerability's widespread impact across multiple Apple platforms means that organizations using these systems face significant risk, particularly in environments where mobile devices or embedded systems are prevalent. The memory corruption aspect also introduces potential for denial of service conditions where system stability is compromised through memory manipulation attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment across all affected platforms, with particular attention to the specific version thresholds mentioned in the vulnerability description. System administrators should implement strict application control policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and implementing endpoint detection and response solutions can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date system patches and following Apple's security advisories closely. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while implementing security awareness training to prevent users from installing potentially malicious applications that could exploit this kernel-level vulnerability.