CVE-2018-4272 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple memory corruption issues were 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4272 represents a critical memory corruption issue that impacted multiple Apple operating systems and applications. This flaw manifested through inadequate memory handling practices that could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The vulnerability affected widely used platforms including iOS versions prior to 11.4.1, tvOS versions prior to 11.4.1, watchOS versions prior to 4.3.2, Safari version 11.1.2, iTunes 12.8 for Windows, and iCloud for Windows 7.6, indicating a broad attack surface that could compromise user devices across different Apple ecosystems. The memory corruption issues stemmed from improper memory management routines that failed to properly validate memory boundaries during various system operations, creating potential entry points for malicious actors to exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common memory safety issues categorized under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory corruption flaws typically occur when applications fail to properly validate input data or when buffer management routines do not adequately protect against overflow conditions. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious web content delivered via Safari browser, crafted files processed by iTunes or iCloud applications, or through other system components that handle user input or external data. Attackers could potentially leverage these memory corruption issues to execute code with elevated privileges, leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4272 extends beyond simple system crashes or instability, as memory corruption vulnerabilities often provide attackers with pathways to achieve persistent access to compromised systems. Users running affected versions of Apple software faced significant security risks including potential unauthorized access to personal data, device control, and network infiltration. The widespread nature of the affected platforms meant that attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability across multiple device types and operating environments, making it particularly dangerous. Organizations and individuals using these vulnerable versions were exposed to risks of data breaches, privacy violations, and potential use of compromised devices as launch points for broader network attacks, with implications that could extend beyond individual devices to corporate networks or cloud services.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive security updates released as part of 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. The fixes implemented included enhanced memory handling procedures, improved input validation mechanisms, and strengthened buffer management routines. Security researchers and organizations should prioritize updating all affected systems to mitigate potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be actively exploited in the wild. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious network activity or system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where legacy systems may not be immediately updated. The remediation efforts required comprehensive testing to ensure that the security patches did not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or system functionality.