CVE-2018-4157 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 "Quick Look" component. A race condition allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4157 represents a critical race condition flaw within Apple's Quick Look component that affects multiple operating systems including iOS versions prior to 11.3, macOS versions before 10.13.4, tvOS versions before 11.3, and watchOS versions before 4.3. This vulnerability resides in the privileged system component responsible for previewing files and content within the operating environment. The race condition occurs during the processing of file previews where multiple threads or processes access shared resources without proper synchronization mechanisms, creating temporal windows where malicious actors can exploit the system's behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent timing issues within the Quick Look framework's implementation. When a malicious application attempts to trigger a Quick Look preview, the race condition allows attackers to manipulate the execution flow by carefully timing their actions during the file processing phase. This particular flaw falls under CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in software systems where concurrent access to shared resources creates exploitable conditions. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that typically protect system components from unauthorized manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4157 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a means to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially establish persistent footholds within affected systems. The privilege escalation capability means that malicious applications could gain access to sensitive system functions, file systems, and other protected resources that would normally be restricted to legitimate system processes. This vulnerability directly impacts the security model of Apple's operating systems by undermining the principle of least privilege and creating opportunities for attackers to move laterally within the system environment.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which focuses on exploiting legitimate credentials and system privileges to gain access to protected resources. The race condition nature of the flaw makes it particularly attractive to attackers as it can be reliably exploited without requiring sophisticated bypass techniques. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in privileged system components, as the flaw exists in the fundamental design approach to handling concurrent file preview operations. The exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond installing a malicious application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently install untrusted software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4157 primarily involve applying the respective security updates released by Apple for each affected platform. System administrators should prioritize patching all affected devices to prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring for suspicious application behavior and file preview activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly around concurrent access control and privilege management in system-level components. Regular security assessments of privileged system functions should include evaluation of race condition vulnerabilities and proper synchronization mechanisms to prevent similar issues from emerging in future software releases.