CVE-2018-4401 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, watchOS 5.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
CVE-2018-4401 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability that existed in Apple's operating systems prior to the release of iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution and system compromise. The flaw was particularly concerning because it affected multiple Apple platforms simultaneously, indicating a fundamental issue in the kernel or core system components that handle memory management operations. The vulnerability was classified as a heap overflow or buffer overflow condition that occurred during memory allocation and deallocation processes, specifically within the kernel's memory handling subsystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices that allowed attackers to manipulate memory regions beyond their intended boundaries. This type of flaw typically occurs when the system fails to properly validate input data or when memory allocation functions do not adequately check buffer limits before writing data. The issue is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where privileges are highest, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for system integrity and user data security. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would be categorized as CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions, both of which are common attack vectors in operating system security.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4401 was significant across all affected Apple platforms, as it created potential entry points for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to systems. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation. The widespread nature of the affected platforms meant that users across iOS devices, macOS computers, tvOS set-top boxes, and watchOS smartwatches were all at risk, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors. This vulnerability also aligned with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), demonstrating how memory corruption flaws can be leveraged to achieve higher system privileges and maintain persistent access.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through improved memory handling mechanisms that included enhanced bounds checking, stricter memory allocation protocols, and more robust validation of system calls. The security patches implemented in iOS 12, macOS Mojave 10.14, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5 focused on strengthening the kernel's memory management subsystem to prevent unauthorized memory access patterns. Organizations and users were strongly advised to update their systems immediately upon release of the patches, as the vulnerability could be exploited without user interaction in many scenarios. The fix typically involved implementing additional memory validation checks and modifying how the operating system allocates and manages memory regions, particularly in kernel extensions and system services that handle network or input processing. This remediation approach aligns with defensive programming principles and demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in preventing exploitation of low-level system vulnerabilities.