CVE-2018-4347 in iCloud
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, watchOS 5, iTunes 12.9 for Windows, iCloud for Windows 7.7.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4347 represents a critical use-after-free condition that existed in Apple's operating systems and applications prior to specific version releases. This type of memory management flaw occurs when a program continues to reference memory locations that have already been freed or deallocated, creating potential exploitation vectors for malicious actors. The issue affected multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and specific versions of iTunes and iCloud for Windows, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The vulnerability was particularly concerning as it could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability through carefully crafted inputs that trigger the memory management error.
The technical nature of this use-after-free vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory condition. This weakness occurs when a program references memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior including crashes, data corruption, or more severe security implications. In the context of Apple's operating systems, this flaw likely involved improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes within system frameworks or applications that process user inputs or network data. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, web content, or specially crafted files that when processed by affected applications would trigger the improper memory management behavior.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4347 was significant across Apple's platform ecosystem, as it affected versions of iOS before 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, watchOS 5, and specific Windows applications. This meant that users running these older versions were potentially vulnerable to remote code execution attacks, denial of service conditions, or information disclosure vulnerabilities. The attack surface was broad given that the flaw existed in core system components that handle various input types and network communications. Organizations and individuals using affected versions faced potential risks including unauthorized access to systems, data breaches, or complete system compromise, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where legacy systems might still be in use.
Apple's response to this vulnerability involved implementing improved memory management practices and code reviews to prevent the reuse of freed memory locations. The fix was rolled out through security updates for iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, watchOS 5, and corresponding Windows applications. This remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves the execution of malicious code through system vulnerabilities, and demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in preventing exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of regular security updates and patch management programs, as the issue affected widely deployed systems and required coordinated remediation across multiple platforms. Organizations should have implemented immediate patching procedures upon release of the security updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation, as the use-after-free condition could have been leveraged for persistent threats against affected systems.