CVE-2018-4271 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved input validation. 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4271 represents a significant memory corruption issue that affected multiple Apple operating systems and applications. This flaw emerged from insufficient input validation mechanisms within Apple's software ecosystem, specifically targeting versions prior to the mentioned security updates. The vulnerability manifests as multiple memory corruption issues that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system integrity and execute arbitrary code. The affected platforms include iOS 11.4.1 and earlier versions, tvOS 11.4.1 and earlier versions, watchOS 4.3.2 and earlier versions, Safari 11.1.2 and earlier versions, iTunes 12.8 for Windows, and iCloud for Windows 7.6 and earlier versions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under memory corruption patterns that are commonly classified as CWE-122, which deals with buffer overflow conditions in memory management. The flaw occurs when applications fail to properly validate input data before processing it, leading to situations where memory can be overwritten or accessed in unintended ways. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can allow attackers to manipulate memory contents, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The issue is particularly concerning in Apple's ecosystem where users expect robust security measures due to the sensitive nature of personal data stored on these devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4271 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it represents a critical security gap that could enable various attack vectors within the Apple platform ecosystem. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute malicious code with elevated privileges, access sensitive user data, or disrupt normal system operations. The widespread nature of affected software components means that the potential attack surface is extensive, covering mobile devices, desktop applications, and cloud synchronization services. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through command and scripting interfaces, and T1068, which focuses on exploiting vulnerabilities in legitimate programs running with elevated privileges.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2018-4271 required immediate deployment of security patches across all affected Apple platforms and applications. Apple addressed this vulnerability through improved input validation mechanisms that ensure proper bounds checking and memory management practices. Organizations and users needed to update their systems to versions including iOS 11.4.1, tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2, Safari 11.1.2, iTunes 12.8 for Windows, and iCloud for Windows 7.6 to mitigate the risk. Security teams should have implemented monitoring for exploitation attempts and ensured that all endpoints within their networks were updated to prevent potential compromise. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in preventing memory corruption attacks and maintaining system integrity across complex software ecosystems.