CVE-2018-4293 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A cookie management issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 11.4.1, macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2, 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-2018-4293 represents a cookie management flaw that existed in multiple Apple operating systems and applications prior to specific security updates. This issue falls under the broader category of web application security vulnerabilities and specifically relates to how cookies are handled during web sessions. The flaw was particularly concerning because cookies serve as critical authentication tokens that maintain user sessions and track preferences across web applications, making them prime targets for exploitation by malicious actors seeking to hijack user sessions or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this cookie management issue stemmed from insufficient validation and sanitization of cookie data within Apple's web frameworks. When users interacted with web applications or services through affected versions of iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, or the corresponding desktop applications, the system failed to properly validate cookie attributes such as domain restrictions, path matching, and secure flag enforcement. This weakness could potentially allow attackers to manipulate cookie values or inject malicious data into the cookie storage mechanism, leading to session hijacking or cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-346, which addresses "Origin Validation Error" and specifically relates to improper validation of the source of data, particularly in the context of web cookies and session management.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4293 extended across multiple Apple platforms and user scenarios, affecting a significant portion of Apple's user base that relied on web-based services and applications. Users of affected versions faced increased risk of session hijacking attacks, where malicious actors could potentially steal authentication cookies and impersonate legitimate users within Apple's ecosystem. This vulnerability particularly impacted users of iCloud services, iTunes, and other web applications that relied on proper cookie handling for maintaining secure user sessions. The widespread nature of the affected platforms meant that any user interacting with web services through these vulnerable versions could be exposed to potential exploitation. Organizations that relied on Apple devices for business operations or users who frequently accessed web applications through Apple's browsers and applications were particularly at risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns or compromised web pages.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through targeted security updates that improved cookie validation mechanisms across all affected platforms. The remediation involved strengthening the cookie parsing and validation logic to ensure proper enforcement of cookie attributes and preventing malicious data injection. These updates specifically targeted the web frameworks that handle cookie management, ensuring that domain restrictions, path matching, and secure flag enforcement were properly implemented. The fixes aligned with recommended security practices for web application development and specifically addressed the root cause of improper cookie validation that could lead to session management vulnerabilities. Organizations and users were strongly advised to update to the specified versions including iOS 11.4.1, macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, tvOS 11.4.1, watchOS 4.3.2, iTunes 12.8 for Windows, and iCloud for Windows 7.6. The vulnerability's resolution demonstrated Apple's commitment to maintaining secure web session management and highlighted the importance of proper cookie validation in preventing session hijacking attacks. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly minor implementation flaws in web frameworks can lead to significant security implications, particularly in environments where users frequently access web-based services and applications.