CVE-2018-4374 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
A logic issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 12.1, watchOS 5.1, Safari 12.0.1, iTunes 12.9.1, iCloud for Windows 7.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4374 represents a logic flaw that existed in multiple Apple operating systems and applications prior to specific version releases. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that allowed for potential exploitation of system integrity. The vulnerability affected iOS versions before 12.1, watchOS versions before 5.1, Safari browser versions before 12.0.1, iTunes software before 12.9.1, and iCloud for Windows before version 7.8. The affected platforms collectively represent Apple's ecosystem of mobile, desktop, and web applications that share common underlying validation logic. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious actors to manipulate system behavior through crafted inputs. The logic issue specifically manifested in scenarios where the system failed to properly validate the integrity of data or parameters being processed, creating potential attack vectors for privilege escalation or unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack surfaces within Apple's ecosystem, particularly affecting user authentication flows and system access controls. Attackers could potentially exploit this logic flaw to bypass security measures that were intended to validate user credentials or system permissions. The vulnerability's presence in both mobile and desktop environments created a significant risk profile, as it could be leveraged to compromise user data across different device types. When considering the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as credential access and privilege escalation, as it could potentially allow attackers to manipulate authentication flows or gain elevated system privileges. The issue's widespread presence across multiple platforms suggests that attackers could develop universal exploitation techniques that work across different Apple products, increasing the overall attack surface and potential impact.
The remediation for CVE-2018-4374 required Apple to implement improved validation mechanisms across all affected platforms, ensuring that input parameters and system states were properly verified before processing. These improvements typically involve strengthening authentication protocols, enhancing access control checks, and implementing more robust parameter validation routines. The patches released with iOS 12.1, watchOS 5.1, Safari 12.0.1, iTunes 12.9.1, and iCloud for Windows 7.8 addressed the root cause by introducing additional validation layers that prevent the exploitation scenarios that previously existed. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected systems to ensure comprehensive protection against potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could have enabled attackers to compromise user sessions or access restricted system functions. The remediation process demonstrates the importance of continuous security validation and the need for regular software updates to address logic flaws that may not be immediately apparent during initial development phases.