CVE-2019-8570 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.1.3, iCloud for Windows 7.10, iTunes 12.9.3 for Windows, Safari 12.0.3, tvOS 12.1.2. Processing maliciously crafted web content may disclose sensitive user information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8570 represents a logic flaw in Apple's software ecosystem that stems from inadequate state management within their web rendering and user data handling processes. This issue specifically affects the processing of web content and has implications across multiple Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, and tvOS. The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of application states during web content rendering, creating potential pathways for unauthorized information disclosure. Security researchers identified that when processing maliciously crafted web content, the affected systems could inadvertently expose sensitive user information through flawed state transitions and memory management.
The technical flaw manifests in the way Apple's web browsers and rendering engines manage application states when encountering specially crafted web content. This logic issue falls under the category of improper state management as defined by CWE-691, where the system fails to properly transition between different operational states during content processing. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the intersection of web content processing and user data exposure, allowing attackers to potentially exploit the state management weaknesses to extract sensitive information from user sessions. The flaw exists in the core web rendering engines that power Safari and the underlying frameworks used across Apple's ecosystem, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of these platforms.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8570 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that could lead to session hijacking or credential theft. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected browsers, would trigger the flawed state management, causing the system to leak sensitive information such as cookies, session tokens, or other user data. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, where attackers exploit web application weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to user information. The impact is particularly severe because it affects multiple platforms simultaneously, including iOS devices, macOS systems, and tvOS, creating a broad attack surface that could compromise user privacy across Apple's entire ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8570 center around applying the security patches released by Apple in their respective software updates. Users should immediately update to iOS 12.1.3, iCloud for Windows 7.10, iTunes 12.9.3 for Windows, Safari 12.0.3, and tvOS 12.1.2 to address the underlying logic issue. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all Apple devices within their environment are kept current with security patches. The fix addresses the root cause by improving the state management mechanisms in the web rendering engines, ensuring that application states transition properly during content processing and preventing unauthorized data leakage. Security teams should also consider implementing additional web filtering measures and user education programs to reduce the risk of exposure through malicious web content, particularly in enterprise environments where Apple devices are prevalent.