CVE-2018-4282 in watchOS
Summary
by MITRE
An out-of-bounds read issue existed that led to the disclosure of kernel memory. This was addressed with improved input validation. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 11.4.1, tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4282 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Apple's iOS and related operating systems that exposed sensitive kernel memory contents to unauthorized access. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the kernel space processing routines, allowing malicious actors to craft specific inputs that would trigger memory access violations. The flaw specifically affected systems running iOS versions prior to 11.4.1, tvOS versions prior to 11.4.1, and watchOS versions prior to 4.3.2, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's mobile and embedded platforms. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which represents one of the most common and dangerous categories of memory safety issues in operating system kernels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel's failure to properly validate input parameters before accessing memory regions, particularly within system call handlers or kernel data structures. When legitimate system operations encountered malformed or excessively sized inputs, the kernel would proceed with memory access operations beyond allocated boundaries, potentially exposing kernel memory contents including sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, credential information, or internal system state variables. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068 for 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and represents a classic path to kernel-level compromise. The out-of-bounds read behavior typically occurs when buffer management functions do not properly check array indices or string length parameters before dereferencing pointers, creating opportunities for information disclosure attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4282 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposure of kernel memory could potentially reveal sensitive system internals that might aid in developing more sophisticated attacks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into kernel memory layout, potentially enabling them to craft more precise exploits or to bypass security mechanisms that rely on memory randomization or obfuscation. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to device security since kernel memory often contains critical system information including encryption keys, authentication tokens, and system configuration data. The affected platforms include a broad range of Apple devices that were popular during the iOS 11.x and tvOS 11.x release cycles, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations and individuals who had not yet updated their systems to the patched versions.
Apple's remediation approach for this vulnerability focused on implementing enhanced input validation mechanisms throughout the kernel processing paths where the out-of-bounds read conditions could occur. The security update introduced additional boundary checks and parameter validation routines that ensure all memory access operations remain within legitimate bounds before proceeding with kernel operations. This fix aligns with best practices for memory safety as outlined in the CERT Secure Coding Standards and represents a fundamental defensive measure against buffer overflow and out-of-bounds access conditions. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the relevant security patches for iOS 11.4.1, tvOS 11.4.1, and watchOS 4.3.2 to mitigate this vulnerability. The remediation process requires careful monitoring of patch deployment across all affected devices, as incomplete updates could leave systems vulnerable to exploitation attempts that may have been actively targeting these platforms during the window of vulnerability.