CVE-2018-4270 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 11.4.1, tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2, Safari 11.1.2, iTunes 12.8 for Windows, iCloud for Windows 7.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2020
The memory corruption vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4270 represents a critical security flaw that existed in multiple Apple operating systems and applications prior to specific version updates. This issue falls under the category of memory safety vulnerabilities, which are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution and system compromise. The vulnerability was addressed through enhanced memory handling mechanisms, indicating that the root cause involved improper memory management practices that allowed for corrupt memory states during normal operation. The affected platforms include iOS versions prior to 11.4.1, tvOS versions prior to 11.4.1, watchOS versions prior to 4.3.2, Safari 11.1.2, iTunes 12.8 for Windows, and iCloud for Windows 7.6, demonstrating the widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when memory is not properly managed. The flaw likely occurred during buffer operations or memory allocation processes where insufficient bounds checking or improper memory deallocation allowed attackers to manipulate memory contents. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited to execute malicious code remotely, potentially allowing threat actors to gain unauthorized access to affected systems. The operational impact of CVE-2018-4270 extends beyond individual device security to encompass enterprise environments where Apple devices are commonly deployed. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's presence in applications like Safari and iTunes indicates that web-based attacks could be leveraged to exploit the memory corruption, making it a high-priority target for attackers. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to techniques involving memory corruption exploitation and privilege escalation, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access. The remediation approach required comprehensive system updates across all affected platforms, emphasizing the importance of timely patch management in maintaining security posture. Organizations should prioritize updating to the specified versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation, as the vulnerability could be leveraged for various attack vectors including remote code execution and system takeover. The fix implemented by Apple demonstrates the company's approach to addressing memory safety issues through improved memory handling, which aligns with industry best practices for preventing buffer overflow and memory corruption attacks. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in software development and the potential consequences when such practices are inadequate. The widespread nature of the affected software components highlights the need for comprehensive security monitoring and patch management strategies across all enterprise systems. Security teams should ensure that all devices running vulnerable versions are updated promptly to prevent exploitation attempts that could lead to significant security incidents.