CVE-2018-4169 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
In macOS High Sierra before 10.13.3, Security Update 2018-001 Sierra, and Security Update 2018-001 El Capitan, an out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4169 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw discovered in macOS High Sierra versions prior to 10.13.3, as well as in Security Update 2018-001 for both Sierra and El Capitan operating systems. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the system's security frameworks, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory access violations. The vulnerability specifically affects the underlying security update mechanisms that handle system integrity checks and authentication processes, making it particularly dangerous for system administrators and end users who rely on these security features for protection.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the system processes malformed input data during security update validation procedures. The out-of-bounds read condition allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive system information or enabling further exploitation techniques. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The issue demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input sanitization protocols where the system fails to properly validate the length and content of data structures before processing them, creating opportunities for memory corruption attacks that could compromise system integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4169 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates potential vectors for privilege escalation and system compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources, manipulate security update processes, or extract confidential information from system memory. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where macOS systems are used for critical infrastructure management and where security updates are automatically deployed. The flaw's presence in multiple operating system versions including High Sierra, Sierra, and El Capitan demonstrates the widespread nature of the issue and the need for comprehensive patch management across affected deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4169 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patch deployment to the latest security releases. Organizations should prioritize applying Security Update 2018-001 for affected systems and upgrading to macOS 10.13.3 or later versions to eliminate the vulnerability. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish baseline configurations that restrict unnecessary system access. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through system vulnerabilities, making it essential for security teams to conduct thorough vulnerability assessments and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, restricting administrative privileges, and conducting regular security audits to ensure systems remain protected against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.