CVE-2018-4222 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.4 is affected. Safari before 11.1.1 is affected. iCloud before 7.5 on Windows is affected. iTunes before 12.7.5 on Windows is affected. tvOS before 11.4 is affected. watchOS before 4.3.1 is affected. The issue involves the "WebKit" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted web site that leverages a getWasmBufferFromValue out-of-bounds read during WebAssembly compilation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4222 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Apple's WebKit component that affects multiple operating systems and applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the WebAssembly compilation process where the getWasmBufferFromValue function fails to properly validate buffer boundaries, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution. The affected products span across Apple's ecosystem including iOS versions prior to 11.4, Safari versions before 11.1.1, iCloud versions before 7.5 on Windows, iTunes versions before 12.7.5 on Windows, tvOS versions before 11.4, and watchOS versions before 4.3.1, demonstrating the widespread impact of this WebKit-based flaw. The vulnerability resides in the WebAssembly implementation within WebKit, which is responsible for executing WebAssembly code in web browsers and applications, making it a critical component for modern web application security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted website that triggers a specific sequence in the WebAssembly compilation process. When a malicious website attempts to compile WebAssembly code, the getWasmBufferFromValue function performs an out-of-bounds read operation that allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This memory access violation can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The flaw specifically manifests during WebAssembly compilation phases where the function fails to validate input parameters properly, creating a predictable memory access pattern that can be exploited through carefully crafted malicious WebAssembly code. This vulnerability type maps directly to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of how memory safety issues in web components can lead to remote code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4222 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities as it affects core web browsing and application functionality across multiple Apple platforms. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by simply visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites that could be accessed by unsuspecting users. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and desktop environments means that users could be compromised regardless of their platform, with the attack surface expanding to include iCloud and iTunes applications that utilize WebKit for web content rendering. The remote nature of the attack means that no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site is required, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where users may inadvertently access compromised websites. This flaw directly impacts the security model of Apple's WebKit implementation and represents a failure in memory boundary validation during WebAssembly processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4222 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and system updates across all affected Apple platforms. Organizations should prioritize updating iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS devices to versions containing the WebKit security patches, while also ensuring that Safari, iCloud, and iTunes applications are updated to their latest secure versions. Network administrators should consider implementing web content filtering solutions that can block known malicious domains and monitor for suspicious WebAssembly content. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that may be running unsupported versions of affected applications. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that updates do not break existing applications that rely on WebAssembly functionality, while also monitoring for any potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and should be encouraged to keep their Apple devices updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date web browser components and demonstrates how WebAssembly implementation flaws can create significant security risks across multiple platforms.