CVE-2018-4371 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 12.1, macOS Mojave 10.14.1, tvOS 12.1, watchOS 5.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4371 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that was discovered in Apple's operating systems prior to specific security updates. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that can potentially lead to system instability or unauthorized information disclosure. The flaw was particularly concerning as it affected multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, indicating a widespread impact across the company's ecosystem. The vulnerability was addressed through enhanced input validation mechanisms that prevent the system from accessing memory locations outside the bounds of allocated buffers.
The technical nature of this out-of-bounds read vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of input data within Apple's operating system components. When applications or system processes attempt to read data from memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, the system may access unauthorized memory regions that could contain sensitive information or cause system crashes. This particular flaw was classified as a memory corruption vulnerability that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to system resources or execute arbitrary code. The issue represents a classic example of improper input validation that allows attackers to manipulate memory access patterns and potentially compromise system integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4371 extends across multiple Apple device categories and operating system versions, affecting users who were running versions prior to the security patches. Systems running iOS versions before 12.1, macOS Mojave 10.14.1, tvOS 12.1, and watchOS 5.1 were all vulnerable to this flaw, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by threat actors. The vulnerability's presence in core operating system components means that exploitation could potentially lead to complete system compromise, making it a high-priority issue for security professionals. Organizations and individual users who had not yet applied the necessary security updates were at risk of having their devices compromised through various attack vectors that could leverage this memory safety issue.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4371 primarily involve applying the official security updates released by Apple to address the out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Users should immediately upgrade to the affected operating system versions that contain the patched implementations, specifically iOS 12.1, macOS Mojave 10.14.1, tvOS 12.1, and watchOS 5.1. The security patches implemented by Apple typically include enhanced bounds checking and improved input validation mechanisms that prevent the system from accessing memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection measures to identify any potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure all Apple devices within their environment have been updated to prevent potential exploitation and maintain overall security posture.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that occur when software reads data past the end of a buffer, and also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage that could be leveraged through exploitation of such memory safety issues. The remediation approach demonstrates Apple's ongoing commitment to addressing memory safety vulnerabilities through proactive patch management and improved input validation controls that align with industry best practices for secure software development.