CVE-2019-8546 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An access issue was addressed with additional sandbox restrictions. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.2, macOS Mojave 10.14.4, watchOS 5.2. A local user may be able to view sensitive user information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8546 represents a sandboxing issue that allowed unauthorized access to sensitive user information on Apple devices. This flaw existed within the operating system's security model, specifically affecting the sandboxing mechanisms that are designed to isolate applications and prevent them from accessing resources outside their designated boundaries. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it enabled a local user to bypass the security restrictions that typically protect user data from unauthorized access. The issue was resolved through updates to iOS 12.2, macOS Mojave 10.14.4, and watchOS 5.2, which implemented additional sandbox restrictions to address the access problem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of sandbox escape or privilege escalation, where a local attacker could potentially access information that should remain protected within the confines of the sandboxed environment. This type of flaw typically occurs when the sandbox implementation fails to properly enforce access controls or when there are gaps in the security model that allow processes to circumvent the intended restrictions. The vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient sandboxing can create opportunities for information disclosure, where sensitive user data becomes accessible to unauthorized processes or applications running on the same system. Such issues are particularly dangerous in mobile and desktop environments where multiple applications share the same device and could potentially exploit such weaknesses to access personal information.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8546 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture that protects user privacy. A local user with malicious intent could potentially access sensitive data including personal communications, financial information, or other confidential user content that should remain isolated within the application sandbox. This vulnerability would be particularly concerning in enterprise environments where device security is paramount, as it could allow for unauthorized data access that might compromise business-critical information. The issue highlights the importance of maintaining robust sandboxing mechanisms and demonstrates how even minor gaps in security implementation can create significant risks for user privacy and data protection.
Organizations and users should prioritize applying the security updates released by Apple to address this vulnerability, as the fix involves strengthening the sandbox restrictions that govern how applications interact with system resources. The mitigation strategy centers on ensuring that all affected systems receive the appropriate operating system updates that implement the enhanced sandboxing measures. Security teams should also consider conducting vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor for unusual access patterns that might indicate unauthorized attempts to leverage this vulnerability. The remediation process involves updating to the patched versions of iOS, macOS, and watchOS, which provide the necessary sandboxing improvements to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive user information. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses in sandboxing mechanisms, and represents a specific instance where the ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a privilege escalation technique that could be used to access sensitive data.