CVE-2018-4463 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue affected versions prior to macOS Mojave 10.14.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4463 represents a memory corruption flaw that existed in Apple's macOS operating system prior to the release of version 10.14.2. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that can potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The flaw specifically affected the kernel memory management subsystem, which is critical to the overall security and stability of the operating system. Memory corruption vulnerabilities of this nature are particularly dangerous because they can be leveraged by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to system resources or escalate privileges within the operating environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory handling mechanisms within the macOS kernel components. When processing certain memory operations, the system failed to properly validate memory boundaries or handle memory allocation requests, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption states. This type of flaw typically manifests when the system attempts to write data beyond allocated memory regions or when memory is improperly freed and subsequently accessed. The issue is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow or under CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflow depending on the specific memory allocation pattern that triggers the corruption. The vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in memory safety mechanisms that should have been enforced by the operating system's memory management subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4463 extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential security breaches and privilege escalation opportunities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing user-mode protections and gaining complete control over the affected system. This type of privilege escalation represents a severe threat to enterprise environments where macOS systems may be running sensitive applications or handling confidential data. The vulnerability affects all macOS versions prior to 10.14.2, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet implemented the necessary security updates. The potential for remote code execution through this flaw places it within the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation tactic, specifically targeting the kernel as the attack vector. System administrators should note that this vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious software downloads, web-based attacks, or even physical access to vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-4463 primarily focus on immediate system updates and security hardening measures. The most effective remediation approach involves upgrading affected macOS systems to version 10.14.2 or later, which includes the necessary memory handling improvements that address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all macOS systems receive the security updates in a timely manner. Additionally, system administrators can employ monitoring solutions to detect anomalous memory usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following the principle of least privilege when configuring system access controls. Security professionals should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure system stability and compatibility with existing applications. Organizations that cannot immediately upgrade should consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel extension restrictions and enhanced monitoring of system memory operations to reduce the risk of exploitation.