CVE-2018-4451 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
This issue is fixed in macOS Mojave 10.14. A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4451 represents a memory corruption flaw that affected macOS systems prior to version 10.14. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw was specifically addressed through enhanced input validation mechanisms within the operating system's kernel components. Memory corruption vulnerabilities of this nature typically arise when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing it, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate memory structures and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation can create exploitable conditions within kernel-level processes. When the operating system receives malformed or unexpected input through various interfaces, the lack of proper sanitization allows memory corruption to occur. This particular flaw was classified under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific implementation likely involved more complex memory management issues. The vulnerability exploited the way the system handled certain input parameters, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite memory regions and execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4451 extended beyond simple system instability, as memory corruption vulnerabilities can provide attackers with pathways to escalate privileges and gain deeper system access. In the context of macOS environments, this vulnerability could have enabled attackers to bypass security controls and potentially compromise user data or system integrity. The risk was particularly concerning given that the flaw existed in kernel-level components that handle critical system operations. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where macOS systems are deployed. The vulnerability's exploitation could have led to persistent access, data exfiltration, or further compromise of networked systems through lateral movement.
Apple's resolution of this vulnerability through the macOS Mojave 10.14 update demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in preventing memory corruption attacks. The fix implemented improved sanitization of input parameters and enhanced memory management controls within the kernel. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and highlights how memory corruption vulnerabilities can be weaponized for privilege escalation. Organizations should prioritize updating to the patched version of macOS and implement additional monitoring for suspicious system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include verifying that all macOS systems have been updated to version 10.14 or later, as this update addresses the underlying input validation gaps that enabled the memory corruption condition.