CVE-2019-6217 in iCloud
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.1.3, tvOS 12.1.2, watchOS 5.1.3, Safari 12.0.3, iTunes 12.9.3 for Windows, iCloud for Windows 7.10. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6217 represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting multiple Apple operating systems and applications. This flaw resides in the memory management mechanisms of iOS, tvOS, watchOS, Safari, and related software components, where inadequate memory handling allows for potential exploitation. The vulnerability was specifically addressed through updates released in iOS 12.1.3, tvOS 12.1.2, watchOS 5.1.3, Safari 12.0.3, iTunes 12.9.3 for Windows, and iCloud for Windows 7.10, demonstrating Apple's recognition of the severity of the memory handling deficiencies. The issue falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that are commonly classified as CWE-125, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that can lead to system compromise.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2019-6217 occurs when maliciously crafted web content is processed by affected applications, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application. This type of vulnerability represents a classic remote code execution vector that can be leveraged through web browsers or web-based applications. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability allow attackers to manipulate memory structures in ways that can bypass modern security protections such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms. The exploitation typically requires the user to interact with malicious content, making this a user-initiated attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution through web-based attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-6217 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete control over affected systems. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through crafted web content, they can execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The widespread nature of the affected software components means that this vulnerability could impact millions of users across different device types and operating environments. The vulnerability's presence in Safari and related web technologies makes it particularly dangerous as web browsers represent one of the most common attack surfaces for users, with the potential for exploitation through phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or drive-by downloads. Organizations and individuals should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat requiring immediate remediation through the application of available security updates.
The remediation approach for CVE-2019-6217 requires immediate deployment of the security patches provided by Apple, which address the underlying memory handling issues through improved bounds checking and memory allocation mechanisms. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected devices, including iOS devices, tvOS boxes, watchOS devices, and Windows systems running iTunes or iCloud for Windows. The fix implemented by Apple typically involves enhanced memory management routines that prevent the specific memory corruption patterns exploited by this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls, content filtering, and user education to reduce the risk of exploitation through malicious web content. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue means that the fix focuses on strengthening memory safety mechanisms rather than addressing application logic flaws, which is consistent with the remediation approaches recommended for similar vulnerabilities in the industry.