CVE-2019-8628 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.3, macOS Mojave 10.14.5, tvOS 12.3, Safari 12.1.1, iTunes for Windows 12.9.5, iCloud for Windows 7.12. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8628 represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting multiple Apple operating systems and applications. This flaw resides in the core memory management mechanisms of iOS 12.2, macOS Mojave 10.14.4, and tvOS 12.2, where improper memory handling creates exploitable conditions that could be leveraged by attackers. The vulnerability specifically impacts web content processing within Safari and related applications, making it particularly dangerous in browser-based attack scenarios. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this issue maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can occur when memory is improperly managed during web content parsing. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.003 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable arbitrary code execution through compromised web browsers.
The technical implementation of this memory corruption flaw occurs during the processing of maliciously crafted web content, where the application fails to properly validate memory boundaries when handling specially constructed HTML, JavaScript, or multimedia elements. When users encounter such malicious content, the flawed memory handling causes buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability affects not only the Safari web browser but also iTunes and iCloud applications for Windows, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. Attackers could potentially deliver malicious content through compromised websites, email attachments, or even through compromised cloud services, making the attack surface particularly broad.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8628 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and persistent access for attackers. The vulnerability's presence in multiple platforms including mobile iOS devices, desktop macOS systems, and Windows applications creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where users may access potentially malicious content through various vectors. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that includes web-based exploitation techniques, with potential for lateral movement once initial access is achieved. The security implications align with ATT&CK tactic TA0002, which covers execution, as the vulnerability enables adversaries to run malicious code on targeted systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8628 should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected platforms, with particular attention to iOS 12.3, macOS Mojave 10.14.5, and tvOS 12.3 releases that contain the necessary memory handling improvements. System administrators should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering to prevent access to known malicious domains until full patch coverage is achieved. Additional defensive measures include user education about avoiding suspicious websites and email attachments, along with implementing sandboxing techniques for web browsing activities. The vulnerability's resolution through improved memory handling techniques demonstrates the importance of proper bounds checking and memory validation in preventing out-of-bounds access conditions that could lead to privilege escalation. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems that may still be running affected versions of Apple software, particularly in environments where automatic update mechanisms may not be fully functional.