CVE-2019-8513 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Mojave 10.14.4. A local user may be able to execute arbitrary shell commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation flaw in macOS Mojave versions prior to 10.14.4, where a local attacker could potentially execute arbitrary shell commands through improper input validation mechanisms. The issue stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data within system processes, creating an avenue for malicious command injection that bypasses normal security boundaries. The flaw specifically impacts the operating system's command processing subsystem, allowing unauthorized users to escalate their privileges and gain elevated system access. This represents a significant threat to system integrity and confidentiality, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code with root privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in input validation controls that should have prevented potentially dangerous command sequences from being processed. Organizations running affected macOS versions face substantial risk of unauthorized system compromise, particularly in environments where local user access is not properly restricted. The fix implemented in macOS Mojave 10.14.4 addresses the root cause through enhanced validation mechanisms that properly sanitize command inputs before execution. This remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in the CWE catalog under weakness category 78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in shell commands. The vulnerability's classification within the ATT&CK framework would fall under privilege escalation techniques, specifically command injection methods that leverage system-level processes. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to potential full system compromise, as the ability to run arbitrary shell commands can lead to data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms, and further lateral movement within compromised networks. Security professionals should prioritize patching affected systems, as this vulnerability could be exploited by adversaries with minimal privileges to gain complete system control. The issue highlights the importance of robust input validation in system-level software components and the necessity of comprehensive security testing for privilege escalation vectors. Organizations should implement monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns and ensure that all macOS systems are updated to the patched versions to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process requires careful consideration of potential compatibility issues with existing system configurations, as the enhanced validation mechanisms may impact legitimate administrative commands that previously operated without issues. This vulnerability underscores the critical need for continuous security assessment and timely patch management in enterprise environments where macOS systems are deployed.