CVE-2018-4269 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 11.4.1, macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2, iTunes 12.8 for Windows, iCloud for Windows 7.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4269 represents a memory corruption flaw that was successfully mitigated through enhanced input validation mechanisms. This issue affected multiple Apple operating systems and applications, including iOS versions prior to 11.4.1, macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2, iTunes 12.8 for Windows, and iCloud for Windows 7.6. The memory corruption vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user-supplied input data, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to exploit system memory structures. Such flaws typically arise when applications fail to properly sanitize or validate data received from external sources, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system compromise. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that are commonly classified as CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which encompasses out-of-bounds write conditions. These classifications align with the fundamental principles of the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, where memory corruption vulnerabilities can be leveraged to gain elevated system privileges. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it could potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the targeted system environment. The affected applications and operating systems represent critical attack surfaces given their widespread deployment and the sensitive nature of the data they handle. Memory corruption vulnerabilities of this nature often provide attackers with opportunities to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remediation approach taken by Apple involved implementing more rigorous input validation measures that prevent malformed data from being processed in memory, thereby eliminating the conditions that previously allowed for memory corruption. This approach aligns with defensive programming practices recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and other security standards that emphasize the importance of input sanitization and validation. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and desktop operating systems indicates that the underlying flaw was present in core system components that handle user input across different platform environments. The issue's resolution through version updates demonstrates the importance of maintaining current system patches and security updates as part of comprehensive cybersecurity defense strategies. Organizations should prioritize the deployment of these security patches across all affected systems to prevent potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process also highlights the necessity of continuous security testing and validation of system components to identify and address memory-related vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the wild. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety in modern software development practices and the potential consequences of inadequate input validation mechanisms.