CVE-2018-4399 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An access issue existed with privileged API calls. This issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, watchOS 5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4399 represents a critical access control flaw that impacted multiple Apple operating systems including iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5. This issue stemmed from insufficient validation mechanisms within the privileged application programming interface calls, creating potential pathways for unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284, which specifically addresses inadequate access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to access protected resources or perform privileged operations.
The technical flaw manifested in the privileged API implementation where the system failed to properly verify the authenticity and authorization status of entities attempting to execute high-privilege operations. This weakness allowed malicious actors or compromised applications to potentially bypass normal access controls and execute privileged functions without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability's impact was particularly concerning given that it affected core system APIs that handle sensitive operations, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper system access than intended by the operating system's security model.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4399 extended beyond simple unauthorized access, as it could potentially enable attackers to perform system-level modifications, access protected data, or manipulate core system functions. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers the use of privilege escalation techniques, and specifically relates to the exploitation of system-level API weaknesses. The affected platforms were particularly vulnerable because they represented the foundation of Apple's ecosystem security model, where the privileged API calls are designed to provide controlled access to system resources while maintaining security boundaries.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through the implementation of additional access restrictions and enhanced validation mechanisms within the privileged API calls. The security patches included stricter authentication requirements and improved authorization checks that ensure only properly authenticated and authorized entities can execute privileged operations. This remediation approach aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring that system operations require proper authorization before execution. Organizations should prioritize applying these security updates to maintain system integrity and prevent potential exploitation of this access control weakness that could compromise the security of Apple devices. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper API security implementation and the need for continuous security validation of privileged system functions.