CVE-2019-7286 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.1.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.3 Supplemental Update. An application may be able to gain elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2025
The memory corruption vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7286 represents a critical security flaw that emerged in Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting iOS and macOS platforms. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the system's memory management processes, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to exploit system resources. The issue was particularly concerning because it could potentially enable applications to escalate their privileges beyond normal operational boundaries, fundamentally compromising the security model that Apple implements to protect user data and system integrity.
The technical nature of this flaw resides in how the operating system handles memory allocation and input processing, where insufficient validation allows malformed data to corrupt memory structures. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple memory manipulation as it provides a potential entry point for privilege escalation attacks, where malicious applications could leverage the corrupted memory state to gain elevated system privileges typically restricted to trusted system processes.
The operational implications of CVE-2019-7286 are significant within enterprise and personal computing environments, as it could allow attackers to bypass standard security controls that separate user applications from critical system functions. This vulnerability particularly affects scenarios where applications might receive untrusted input from external sources or where system components interact with potentially malicious data streams. The issue demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation in preventing memory corruption attacks that could ultimately lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive updates released as part of iOS 12.1.4 and macOS Mojave 10.14.3 Supplemental Update, implementing enhanced input validation measures that prevent the malformed data from corrupting memory structures. These patches specifically target the memory handling routines that were previously susceptible to manipulation, ensuring that all inputs are properly validated before being processed by system components. Organizations and users should prioritize applying these updates immediately, as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious applications, web-based exploits, or compromised third-party software that interacts with system memory management functions. The remediation aligns with recommended security practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, where memory corruption vulnerabilities represent one of the most dangerous attack surfaces for adversaries seeking to gain elevated system privileges.