CVE-2019-7290 in Shortcuts
Summary
by MITRE
An access issue was addressed with additional sandbox restrictions. This issue is fixed in Shortcuts 2.1.3 for iOS. A sandboxed process may be able to circumvent sandbox restrictions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-7290 represents a critical sandbox escape flaw within Apple's Shortcuts application for iOS devices. This issue stems from insufficient sandbox restrictions that allow a malicious sandboxed process to potentially bypass the security boundaries designed to isolate applications from each other and from the underlying operating system. The vulnerability specifically affects Shortcuts version 2.1.2 and earlier, where the sandbox implementation contained a weakness that could be exploited by adversaries to gain elevated privileges or access restricted system resources. The sandbox mechanism in iOS is a fundamental security feature that prevents applications from accessing unauthorized data or system components, making any bypass of these protections particularly concerning for mobile security.
The technical flaw manifests as a sandbox restriction bypass that enables a process running within the confines of the standard sandbox to escalate its privileges or access resources that should normally be restricted. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and sandbox escape techniques, which are commonly tracked under CWE-250. The issue represents a failure in the application sandboxing implementation where the security boundaries are not properly enforced, allowing an attacker to execute code or access data outside the intended security scope. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significant because it directly undermines the core security model of iOS applications, which relies heavily on sandboxing to prevent cross-application data leakage and unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it could potentially allow attackers to access sensitive user data, execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, or even compromise the integrity of the iOS environment. In a mobile context, this represents a serious threat to user privacy and device security, as the Shortcuts application is commonly used for automation tasks that may involve accessing personal information, contacts, files, and other sensitive data. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious shortcuts shared via email, social media, or compromised app stores, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently download and execute third-party automation scripts. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as privilege escalation techniques, specifically focusing on sandbox evasion and process injection methods.
Apple addressed this vulnerability by releasing Shortcuts version 2.1.3 for iOS, which includes enhanced sandbox restrictions and improved security controls to prevent unauthorized access to system resources. The fix likely involves strengthening the sandbox enforcement mechanisms, implementing additional checks on inter-process communications, and ensuring that all security boundaries are properly maintained even when processes attempt to access restricted resources. Organizations and users should immediately update to the patched version to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Security practitioners should monitor for any potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious sandbox behavior or unusual process access patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security auditing of sandbox implementations and proper enforcement of security boundaries in mobile operating systems, as even minor oversights in sandbox design can lead to significant security compromises that affect user privacy and system integrity.