CVE-2019-8567 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
A user privacy issue was addressed by removing the broadcast MAC address. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.2. A device may be passively tracked by its WiFi MAC address.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-8567 represents a significant privacy concern related to wireless device tracking mechanisms within Apple's iOS operating system. This issue specifically addresses the exposure of broadcast MAC addresses through WiFi connectivity, which could potentially allow malicious actors or tracking systems to identify and monitor devices without their explicit knowledge or consent. The flaw existed in versions of iOS prior to 12.2, where devices would broadcast their unique MAC addresses when connecting to WiFi networks, creating persistent identifiers that could be collected and analyzed by third parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how iOS devices handle WiFi network connections and MAC address management. When a device connects to a WiFi network, it traditionally broadcasts its Media Access Control address as part of the standard wireless communication protocol. This MAC address serves as a unique hardware identifier that can be used to track device movements and activities across multiple locations and time periods. The vulnerability arises from the fact that this broadcast mechanism was not adequately obfuscated or randomized, allowing for passive tracking of devices through their MAC addresses.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial privacy implications for users who may be unknowingly tracked through their wireless device communications. The ability to passively track devices using their WiFi MAC addresses means that malicious actors or surveillance systems could monitor user movements, establish behavioral patterns, and potentially correlate this information with other data sources to create comprehensive profiles of individuals. This tracking capability extends beyond simple location monitoring to include behavioral analysis and potential identity correlation across different services and platforms.
The fix implemented in iOS 12.2 addresses this issue by removing or obfuscating the broadcast MAC address functionality, ensuring that devices no longer expose their unique hardware identifiers through standard WiFi connection protocols. This mitigation aligns with established privacy frameworks and represents a proactive approach to addressing tracking vulnerabilities that could compromise user anonymity and data protection. The solution follows industry best practices for privacy-enhancing technologies and demonstrates Apple's commitment to addressing security and privacy concerns in their mobile operating system.
This vulnerability type relates to CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and specifically addresses issues related to information disclosure through network protocols. The tracking capability described in CVE-2019-8567 also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, "Phishing," as it enables more sophisticated tracking that could be leveraged in social engineering attacks. Additionally, the issue connects to broader privacy concerns under ATT&CK technique T1537, "Transport Layer Evasion," as it relates to how network communications can be monitored and exploited for tracking purposes.
The resolution of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper MAC address management in mobile operating systems and highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing network functionality with user privacy protection. By removing the broadcast MAC address, iOS 12.2 effectively mitigates the risk of passive tracking while maintaining essential WiFi connectivity capabilities. This approach reflects industry standards for privacy-preserving network protocols and represents a significant improvement in user privacy protection within Apple's mobile ecosystem.
Organizations and users should ensure their iOS devices are updated to version 12.2 or later to receive the protection against this tracking vulnerability. The fix represents a fundamental improvement in device privacy protection and aligns with broader industry efforts to address tracking mechanisms that could compromise user anonymity. Continued vigilance regarding privacy settings and network connectivity practices remains important for maintaining overall security posture, particularly in environments where wireless tracking capabilities may be exploited for malicious purposes.
The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of considering privacy implications in network protocol implementations and demonstrates how seemingly minor technical details can have significant privacy consequences. The resolution approach taken by Apple provides a model for how operating system vendors can address tracking vulnerabilities while maintaining core functionality, emphasizing the need for privacy-by-design principles in mobile operating system development and deployment.