CVE-2019-6235 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.1.3, macOS Mojave 10.14.3, tvOS 12.1.2, watchOS 5.1.3, iTunes 12.9.3 for Windows. A sandboxed process may be able to circumvent sandbox restrictions.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6235 represents a memory corruption flaw that existed within Apple's operating systems and applications, specifically affecting iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and iTunes. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that allowed malicious actors to exploit memory handling procedures. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it enabled sandboxed processes to potentially bypass the security restrictions designed to isolate applications from each other and from system resources. The flaw manifested in how the operating systems handled memory allocation and deallocation, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures in ways that were not properly validated. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues commonly classified as CWE-125, which represents out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and potential privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2019-6235 allowed an attacker to craft specific inputs or conditions that would trigger memory corruption within sandboxed applications. When a sandboxed process encountered these conditions, the improper validation mechanisms failed to properly check memory boundaries, leading to potential buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios. This memory corruption could then be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the sandboxed environment or potentially escalate privileges to gain access to restricted system resources. The vulnerability's impact was significant because sandboxing is a fundamental security mechanism designed to prevent applications from accessing each other's memory spaces or system resources without proper authorization. The flaw essentially created a pathway through which sandbox restrictions could be circumvented, undermining the core security model that Apple had implemented to protect users from malicious applications and processes.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extended beyond simple memory corruption to encompass broader security concerns for users of Apple's ecosystem. Attackers could potentially exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, execute malicious code, or perform privilege escalation attacks that would otherwise be prevented by the sandboxing mechanisms. The vulnerability affected multiple platforms including iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, creating a widespread security concern that required immediate patching across all affected systems. Additionally, the presence of this vulnerability in iTunes for Windows meant that users running Windows-based systems were also at risk, particularly those who synced their devices with iTunes or used it for managing their Apple devices. The security implications were particularly severe because the flaw existed in core system components that were actively used by millions of users worldwide, making it a prime target for exploitation.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive updates released as part of iOS 12.1.3, macOS Mojave 10.14.3, tvOS 12.1.2, watchOS 5.1.3, and iTunes 12.9.3 for Windows. These updates implemented improved validation mechanisms that properly checked memory boundaries and prevented the exploitation scenarios that led to memory corruption. The fix specifically targeted the validation procedures that were previously insufficient to prevent attackers from manipulating memory structures within sandboxed processes. Organizations and individuals were strongly advised to update their systems immediately to protect against potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability had been actively exploited in the wild before the release of the patches. The remediation process involved strengthening the memory validation routines that were previously insufficient to prevent the specific memory corruption patterns that allowed sandbox bypassing. This vulnerability demonstrated the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management in preventing security exploits that could compromise entire operating system security models, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers bypassing user access control mechanisms.