CVE-2018-4435 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions. This issue affected versions prior to iOS 12.1.1, macOS Mojave 10.14.2, tvOS 12.1.1, watchOS 5.1.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4435 represents a logic flaw that was successfully addressed through enhanced restriction mechanisms within Apple's operating systems. This issue affected multiple platform versions including iOS prior to 12.1.1, macOS Mojave 10.14.2, tvOS 12.1.1, and watchOS 5.1.2, indicating a cross-platform concern that required coordinated remediation across Apple's ecosystem. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-252, which encompasses "Unchecked Return Value" and "Logic Error" conditions where software fails to properly validate or handle return values from security-relevant operations. The affected platforms demonstrate Apple's comprehensive approach to addressing security concerns that could potentially impact user privacy and system integrity across mobile, desktop, and embedded devices.
The technical nature of this logic issue suggests that the vulnerability involved improper validation or handling of security-relevant operations within the affected software components. Such flaws typically occur when software does not properly verify the outcomes of security checks or when access control mechanisms are not adequately enforced. The remediation approach of implementing "improved restrictions" indicates that Apple enhanced their access control policies, input validation procedures, or privilege escalation controls to prevent unauthorized access or privilege elevation. This type of vulnerability often relates to improper state management or insufficient boundary checking within security-sensitive code paths, potentially allowing malicious actors to bypass intended security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4435 extends across Apple's entire consumer and enterprise ecosystem, affecting users of mobile devices, desktop computers, and smart TVs. Organizations running Apple devices in enterprise environments would have been particularly concerned about potential privilege escalation or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's presence in multiple operating systems suggests that attackers could potentially leverage similar attack vectors across different device types, increasing the overall risk surface. The fact that this issue required patches across multiple platforms also indicates that it likely involved core security frameworks or shared libraries that were utilized across Apple's product line, making it a significant concern for organizations managing diverse Apple device fleets.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4435 primarily centered on immediate deployment of the respective operating system updates provided by Apple. Organizations should have prioritized patch management activities to ensure all affected devices received the necessary security updates. The remediation approach of enhanced restrictions aligns with ATT&CK framework tactic TA0004 (Privilege Escalation) and technique T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation), as the vulnerability likely enabled unauthorized elevation of privileges or access to restricted system functions. Security administrators should have implemented monitoring to detect any suspicious activities following the vulnerability disclosure, particularly focusing on unauthorized access attempts or privilege escalation events. Additionally, organizations should have reviewed their device management policies to ensure timely deployment of security patches across all Apple devices within their environment, considering the cross-platform nature of the vulnerability.