CVE-2018-4396 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A validation issue was addressed with improved input sanitization. This issue affected versions prior to macOS Mojave 10.14.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4396 represents a validation issue that existed in macOS versions prior to Mojave 10.14, specifically affecting the operating system's input sanitization mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of improper input validation flaws that can compromise system integrity and security posture. The issue stems from insufficient sanitization of user inputs within the macOS kernel or system components, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit.
The technical flaw manifests in the inadequate processing of input data within the affected macOS versions, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied information before processing it. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious inputs that could bypass normal validation checks, potentially leading to unauthorized system access or privilege escalation. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code or manipulate system behavior through carefully crafted inputs that exploit the insufficient sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4396 extends beyond simple data corruption or denial of service scenarios, as it represents a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks within the macOS environment. Systems running affected versions of macOS remain vulnerable to exploitation attempts that could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges or access restricted system resources. The vulnerability's presence in pre-Mojave versions creates a significant security gap, particularly for organizations that have not yet migrated to the newer operating system releases. This issue directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can undermine the overall security architecture of affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4396 primarily focus on upgrading to macOS Mojave 10.14 or later versions where the improved input sanitization mechanisms have been implemented. System administrators should prioritize patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary security updates. Additionally, organizations can implement network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The remediation approach aligns with standard security practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, emphasizing the importance of keeping systems updated with the latest security patches. Organizations should also consider implementing additional input validation controls at network boundaries or application layers as defensive measures while transitioning to patched versions.