CVE-2018-4160 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-2018-4160 represents a critical kernel-level flaw affecting macOS versions prior to 10.13.4. This security issue resides within the kernel component of Apple's operating system, which serves as the core foundation responsible for managing system resources and providing essential services to applications. The kernel operates with the highest privilege level, making any vulnerability within this component particularly dangerous as it can potentially grant attackers elevated access to system functions and data. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing specially crafted applications, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code within a privileged context.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where programs access memory locations beyond allocated boundaries. This particular flaw enables attackers to craft malicious applications that trigger memory corruption within the kernel's processing routines. When such an application is executed, the kernel's memory management subsystem fails to properly validate input data, leading to a situation where attacker-controlled data can be read from memory locations outside the intended bounds. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior including system crashes, privilege escalation, or more concerning arbitrary code execution within the kernel context. The attack vector requires user interaction through the execution of a crafted application, making it particularly insidious as it can be delivered through various means including malicious email attachments, downloadables, or even compromised software installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4160 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass serious security implications for affected systems. Systems running macOS versions before 10.13.4 face significant risk of privilege escalation attacks, where an unprivileged user could potentially gain root-level access to the system. This capability would allow attackers to bypass standard security controls, access sensitive user data, modify system files, and establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for denial of service attacks that could render systems unstable or completely unusable. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw provides a powerful primitive for further exploitation, potentially enabling lateral movement within networks and access to additional systems. The vulnerability's presence in the kernel means that even systems with strong user-level security controls could be compromised, as the attack targets the fundamental system protection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4160 center exclusively on updating to macOS 10.13.4 or later versions, which contain the necessary patches to address the kernel memory handling flaw. System administrators should prioritize this update across all affected devices and implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security fixes. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted applications, deploying sandboxing technologies to limit the impact of potentially malicious code, and maintaining robust monitoring systems to detect unusual kernel behavior. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing kernel-level vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the kernel as a means to gain elevated system privileges. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific flaw to ensure complete remediation across all endpoints and prevent exploitation attempts that could compromise enterprise security postures.