CVE-2019-8581 in AirPort Base Station
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.8.1, AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.9.1. A remote attacker may be able to leak memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8581 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw in Apple AirPort Base Station firmware versions prior to 7.8.1 and 7.9.1. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the wireless access point firmware, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory access patterns. The vulnerability manifests when the firmware processes certain network packets or configuration data without proper bounds checking, potentially allowing an attacker to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries.
The technical nature of this flaw places it squarely within the CWE-125 category of out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, where an application accesses memory beyond the allocated buffer limits. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when input validation is insufficient or absent, enabling attackers to manipulate data structures and potentially extract sensitive information from memory. The specific implementation flaw in the AirPort firmware suggests that network protocol handlers or configuration parsing components lack proper boundary checks, making them susceptible to crafted malicious inputs that trigger the out-of-bounds memory access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to wireless network security as it enables remote attackers to potentially leak memory contents without requiring physical access or authentication. The implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory could contain sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, network credentials, or other confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable AirPort devices from anywhere on the internet, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on these wireless access points for network infrastructure.
The remediation for CVE-2019-8581 involves applying the firmware updates released by Apple, specifically versions 7.8.1 and 7.9.1, which implement improved input validation mechanisms to prevent the out-of-bounds memory read conditions. Security practitioners should prioritize updating all affected AirPort Base Station devices and verify the successful installation of the patches through firmware version checks. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect any suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could potentially be used as a reconnaissance tool to gather intelligence about network configurations and security implementations. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access through memory corruption vulnerabilities.