CVE-2018-4173 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. The issue involves the "Status Bar" component. It allows invisible microphone access via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4173 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's operating systems that affects iOS versions prior to 11.3 and macOS versions prior to 10.13.4. This issue specifically targets the Status Bar component of Apple's user interface framework, which serves as a critical system element for displaying application status information and system notifications. The vulnerability enables malicious applications to gain unauthorized access to device microphones without user consent or awareness, creating a significant privacy and security risk for affected users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of application permissions within the Status Bar component. Attackers can craft malicious applications that exploit a flaw in how the system handles microphone access requests, allowing them to bypass normal permission controls and gain continuous access to microphone functionality. This flaw operates at the system level within Apple's security architecture, specifically affecting how the operating system processes and validates microphone access requests from third-party applications. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction beyond installing the malicious application, making it particularly dangerous as it can operate silently in the background.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4173 extends beyond simple privacy violations to encompass broader security implications for affected Apple devices. The invisible microphone access capability provides attackers with persistent surveillance capabilities that can be used for eavesdropping, data collection, and potential identity theft. This vulnerability particularly affects users who may not be aware that their devices are being monitored, as the malicious application can operate without displaying any visible indicators in the Status Bar. The risk is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects core operating system components that are integral to device functionality, making it difficult for users to identify or isolate the compromised functionality.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and demonstrates how system-level components can be exploited to bypass security controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, as attackers can maintain long-term access to microphone functionality without detection. The flaw also relates to TTP-0001 in the context of unauthorized data collection and surveillance capabilities. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate remediation through operating system updates, as the vulnerability affects fundamental security controls within Apple's ecosystem. Additionally, users should exercise extreme caution when installing applications from untrusted sources and maintain regular security updates to protect against similar vulnerabilities that may exploit similar permission validation flaws in system components.