CVE-2018-4284 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
A type confusion 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4284 represents a critical type confusion flaw that existed in Apple's ecosystem across multiple operating systems and applications. This issue stemmed from inadequate memory management practices that allowed attackers to manipulate object types during runtime execution, creating conditions where the system might incorrectly interpret data structures. The vulnerability affected versions of iOS prior to 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, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's software portfolio. Type confusion vulnerabilities typically arise when a program uses a variable or object in a context that is inconsistent with its actual type, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. This particular flaw was classified under CWE-466, which specifically addresses the use of the return value of a function that may return a pointer to a different type than expected, making it particularly dangerous in memory-sensitive environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allowed for memory handling inconsistencies that could be exploited through carefully crafted inputs or malicious code execution paths. Attackers could potentially leverage this type confusion to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The impact was significant because it affected core system components and applications that users frequently interacted with, including web browsers, file synchronization services, and mobile operating systems. The flaw's presence in Safari 11.1.2 was particularly concerning as it could be exploited through web-based attacks, while the iTunes and iCloud components posed risks during file transfers and synchronization operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation could involve manipulating system processes through memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4284 extended beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential data theft, system compromise, and persistent access to affected systems. Organizations using Apple products in enterprise environments faced heightened risk of targeted attacks, particularly those with outdated software versions that had not received the necessary security patches. The vulnerability's exploitation required sophisticated techniques that leveraged the underlying type confusion to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Security professionals noted that the issue was particularly dangerous because it could be triggered through multiple attack vectors including web browsing, file transfers, and system interactions that were common to daily operations. Remediation efforts focused on updating all affected systems to versions that included improved memory handling and type validation mechanisms. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of timely patch management and proper software lifecycle management to prevent exploitation of memory-related flaws that could lead to complete system compromise.