CVE-2018-4226 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11.4 is affected. macOS before 10.13.5 is affected. iCloud before 7.5 on Windows is affected. iTunes before 12.7.5 on Windows is affected. watchOS before 4.3.1 is affected. The issue involves the "Security" component. It allows local users to bypass intended restrictions on the reading of sensitive user information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
This vulnerability resides within Apple's security framework affecting multiple operating systems and applications across their ecosystem. The flaw specifically targets the security component of Apple's software stack, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The vulnerability impacts iOS versions prior to 11.4, macOS versions prior to 10.13.5, iCloud for Windows versions prior to 7.5, iTunes for Windows versions prior to 12.7.5, and watchOS versions prior to 4.3.1. This widespread impact across Apple's product line demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the access control mechanisms that should protect user data integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows local users to bypass intended restrictions that should prevent unauthorized reading of sensitive user information. This represents a critical access control failure where legitimate security boundaries have been circumvented. The flaw likely involves improper validation of user permissions or insufficient checks within the security subsystem that governs data access. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would be categorized as a weakness in access control mechanisms, specifically CWE-284 for improper access control or potentially CWE-285 for insufficient privileges. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that allows local adversaries to access information that should remain protected from unauthorized users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables local attackers to access sensitive user information without proper authorization. This could include personal data, credentials, communication records, and other confidential information stored on affected devices. The implications extend beyond individual privacy concerns to potential data breaches that could compromise user accounts and expose sensitive corporate or personal information. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user data, potentially leading to identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects devices that users typically consider secure, making the threat more insidious as it operates within trusted environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected systems to the latest supported versions. Apple released updates addressing this specific flaw in iOS 11.4, macOS 10.13.5, and corresponding versions of iCloud, iTunes, and watchOS. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive updates promptly. The security community recommends verifying system integrity through proper access control audits and monitoring for unauthorized data access attempts. Additionally, users should maintain awareness of their system security status and avoid using outdated software versions that may contain unpatched vulnerabilities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and demonstrates how seemingly minor access control flaws can have substantial impacts on user privacy and data protection. The remediation process should include thorough validation that all affected components have been properly updated and that access controls have been restored to their intended security levels.