CVE-2019-8588 in AirPort Base Station
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A null pointer dereference 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 cause a system denial of service.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8588 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw in Apple AirPort Base Station firmware versions prior to 7.8.1 and 7.9.1. This issue manifests as a failure in input validation mechanisms that allows malicious actors to exploit the device's network services through carefully crafted network packets. The vulnerability specifically affects wireless access points that handle incoming network traffic, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise and residential networking environments where these devices serve as primary network gateways.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper validation of network protocol inputs within the AirPort firmware's packet processing routines. When the firmware receives malformed or specially crafted network packets, it fails to properly validate the incoming data structure before attempting to dereference pointers that may be null. This condition creates a scenario where the system attempts to access memory at a null address, leading to immediate system termination and denial of service. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, specifically targeting the wireless access point's ability to process incoming authentication requests, data packets, or management frames from connected devices.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network availability and business continuity. A remote attacker capable of sending malicious packets to the affected AirPort base station can trigger a complete system crash, forcing network administrators to manually restart the device and potentially disrupting network services for all connected users. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it can affect wireless networks in corporate environments, residential complexes, and public Wi-Fi hotspots where AirPort devices serve as primary access points. Network administrators may experience unexpected downtime, and the vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target devices from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or local network credentials.
The remediation for CVE-2019-8588 requires immediate deployment of firmware updates version 7.8.1 or 7.9.1, which implement enhanced input validation mechanisms to prevent null pointer dereference conditions. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected AirPort base stations, particularly those in critical network segments where service availability is paramount. Network monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and security teams should verify that all wireless infrastructure components have been updated to prevent potential exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions, and represents a typical example of how insufficient input validation can lead to denial of service attacks. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.002, which covers network denial of service attacks, as the vulnerability enables remote adversaries to cause system unavailability through crafted network traffic. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected AirPort devices and establish regular firmware update procedures to maintain network security posture against similar vulnerabilities.