CVE-2018-4196 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. macOS before 10.13.5 is affected. The issue involves the "Accessibility Framework" component. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or obtain sensitive information via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4196 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's macOS operating system affecting versions prior to 10.13.5. This vulnerability specifically resides within the Accessibility Framework component, which serves as a crucial interface for assistive technologies and system-level accessibility features. The Accessibility Framework is designed to provide users with disabilities access to system functionalities through various assistive services, but this particular flaw creates an exploitable condition that undermines the system's security model.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper validation within the Accessibility Framework that allows malicious applications to gain elevated privileges through crafted payloads. Attackers can exploit this weakness by developing or distributing applications that leverage the accessibility services to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability where the attacker can bypass normal security boundaries and operate within the privileged context of the system. The flaw essentially allows an unprivileged user to gain access to sensitive system information and execute commands that should normally be restricted to system administrators or privileged processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4196 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities as it provides attackers with the means to obtain sensitive information from the system. This includes access to user data, system configurations, and potentially confidential information stored within the macOS environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the accessibility framework, which is typically granted elevated permissions to function properly with assistive technologies. This design aspect creates a legitimate attack vector that adversaries can exploit without requiring physical access to the device or advanced technical knowledge of the underlying system architecture. The attack surface is further expanded as this vulnerability affects all macOS versions before 10.13.5, representing a substantial user base that would be exposed to potential exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate system updates to macOS 10.13.5 or later versions where Apple has implemented patches addressing the accessibility framework validation issues. System administrators should prioritize deployment of these security updates across all affected macOS installations to eliminate the attack vector. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious accessibility service usage and implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which applications can access system-level accessibility features. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary accessibility services when they are not actively needed and regularly audit system configurations to ensure that only legitimate assistive technologies have access to privileged system functions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access control issues, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework category of privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage system design flaws to gain elevated system access.