CVE-2018-4474 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A memory consumption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iCloud for Windows 7.7, watchOS 5, Safari 12, iOS 12, iTunes 12.9 for Windows, tvOS 12. Unexpected interaction causes an ASSERT failure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-4474 represents a memory consumption issue that affects multiple Apple platforms including iCloud for Windows, watchOS, Safari, iOS, and tvOS. This flaw manifests through improper memory handling mechanisms that can lead to excessive resource utilization and system instability. The issue specifically involves an ASSERT failure that occurs during unexpected interactions within the affected software components, indicating a critical breakdown in the application's memory management protocols.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in inadequate memory handling procedures that fail to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation cycles. When the system encounters unexpected interaction patterns, the ASSERT mechanism triggers an abrupt termination of memory operations, resulting in excessive memory consumption that can potentially lead to system crashes or denial of service conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, as it involves improper handling of system resources and memory management within restricted operational contexts. The memory consumption issue directly impacts the system's ability to maintain stable operation during normal usage patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-4474 extends across multiple Apple platforms and presents significant risks to user experience and system stability. Users may experience unexpected application crashes, system freezes, or complete application failures when encountering specific interaction patterns that trigger the ASSERT failure. The vulnerability affects critical components including iCloud synchronization services, web browsing capabilities through Safari, mobile operating system functionality, and media streaming through tvOS. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability by crafting specific interaction sequences that force the system into memory exhaustion states, creating a denial of service condition that impacts the availability of critical services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve implementing the official software updates released by Apple to address the memory handling deficiencies. System administrators should prioritize deployment of iCloud for Windows 7.7, watchOS 5, Safari 12, iOS 12, iTunes 12.9 for Windows, and tvOS 12 updates to resolve the memory consumption issues. Additional protective measures include implementing memory monitoring systems to detect unusual consumption patterns and establishing robust error handling procedures that can gracefully manage ASSERT failures without causing system-wide disruptions. The remediation process aligns with ATT&CK technique T1489 which involves system resource hijacking through memory consumption attacks, making proper patch management essential for preventing exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability across their deployed platforms.