CVE-2018-4424 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A buffer overflow was addressed with improved size validation. This issue affected versions prior to macOS Mojave 10.14.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4424 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw that existed in Apple's macOS operating system prior to the release of version 10.14.1. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The buffer overflow occurred within the kernel-level components of the operating system, specifically affecting the way the system handled certain memory operations during processing of user input or system calls. The flaw was particularly concerning because it could be exploited to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate size validation mechanisms within the kernel's memory management functions. When processing certain data structures or system calls, the affected macOS versions failed to properly validate the size of incoming buffers before copying data into fixed-size memory locations. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical system data or injecting malicious code that executes with kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond the allocated buffer space.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4424 extends beyond simple system crashes or instability, as it creates a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute code with the highest system privileges, effectively bypassing standard user access controls and potentially gaining complete control over the affected system. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share systems or where automated security measures are in place that rely on kernel-level integrity. The issue affected a wide range of macOS versions, making it a significant concern for organizations and individuals who had not yet updated to the patched version.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through improved size validation mechanisms that ensure proper bounds checking before memory operations occur. The fix implemented in macOS Mojave 10.14.1 and subsequent updates includes enhanced kernel memory management routines that validate buffer sizes before data transfer operations. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions as soon as possible, as the vulnerability represents a significant risk to system security and stability. The remediation aligns with recommended practices from the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-mode exploitation methods that leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all macOS systems are maintained at current security patch levels to prevent unauthorized access through this and similar vulnerabilities.