CVE-2018-4237 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. tvOS before 11.4 is affected. watchOS before 4.3.1 is affected. The issue involves the "libxpc" component. It allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted app that leverages a logic error.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4237 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Apple's operating systems affecting multiple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. This issue resides within the libxpc component which serves as a core system library responsible for inter-process communication and system-level operations. The vulnerability stems from a logic error that enables malicious applications to exploit the system's privilege management mechanisms and elevate their privileges beyond normal boundaries. The affected versions demonstrate that Apple's security model contained a fundamental flaw in how the system handles privilege transitions and process isolation. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the foundational communication layer that multiple system components rely upon for secure operation. The logic error manifests when crafted applications attempt to manipulate the xpc service communication framework, exploiting improper validation of privilege levels during cross-process operations. The impact extends beyond simple application-level manipulation as it provides attackers with elevated system privileges that could enable further exploitation of other system components. Security researchers identified this weakness through analysis of the libxpc implementation where insufficient boundary checks allowed privilege escalation attacks to succeed. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276 which describes improper privileges, and represents a classic case of inadequate access control mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates how complex system libraries can contain subtle logic errors that compromise entire operating system security models. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain root access or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire device. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to the respective security updates, indicating that the flaw existed for an extended period without detection. Apple's response required patches to the libxpc framework that corrected the privilege validation logic and strengthened the communication protocols between system processes. The exploitability of this vulnerability requires a malicious application to be installed on the target device, making it a local privilege escalation threat rather than a remote attack vector. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and system privileges for unauthorized access. The security implications extend beyond individual device compromise as successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive user data, system configurations, or establish persistent access points. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous security testing for system-level libraries that handle privilege management and inter-process communication. Organizations should ensure all affected Apple devices receive immediate security updates to mitigate this risk and prevent potential exploitation. The flaw underscores the critical nature of maintaining up-to-date system software and demonstrates how seemingly minor logic errors in core system components can have far-reaching security consequences. This vulnerability represents a significant weakness in Apple's security architecture and emphasizes the need for continuous security validation of system-level components. The impact on enterprise environments is particularly severe as it could enable attackers to compromise multiple devices within a network and potentially gain access to sensitive corporate data. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure comprehensive patch management procedures are in place for all Apple operating systems. The vulnerability's resolution required Apple to implement stricter validation mechanisms within the libxpc framework and enhance the privilege checking procedures for all inter-process communication operations.