CVE-2019-8658 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
A logic issue was addressed with improved state management. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.6, tvOS 12.4, watchOS 5.3, Safari 12.1.2, iTunes for Windows 12.9.6, iCloud for Windows 7.13, iCloud for Windows 10.6. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8658 represents a logic flaw in Apple's web processing systems that was addressed through enhanced state management protocols. This issue specifically affected multiple Apple operating systems and applications including iOS 12.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.6, tvOS 12.4, watchOS 5.3, Safari 12.1.2, iTunes for Windows 12.9.6, iCloud for Windows 7.13, and iCloud for Windows 10.6. The vulnerability stems from inadequate handling of state transitions when processing web content, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to exploit.
The technical flaw manifests in how the affected systems manage the state of web content processing, particularly when handling crafted malicious content. This logic issue creates a condition where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize web content before rendering it, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute across different contexts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can lead to universal cross-site scripting attacks, meaning that malicious code could potentially execute across multiple domains and contexts within the affected applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8658 is significant as it affects a broad range of Apple products and services that handle web content processing. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the compromised systems. The universal cross-site scripting capability means that the attack could persist across different web contexts, making it particularly dangerous for users who interact with multiple web applications or services through the affected platforms.
The fix implemented by Apple addresses the root cause through improved state management protocols that ensure proper validation and sanitization of web content before processing. This approach aligns with common security practices for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and follows established frameworks such as CWE-79 for cross-site scripting weaknesses. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected systems to the patched versions, as the vulnerability could be exploited by threat actors without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users access web-based applications.
Security practitioners should monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. The fix demonstrates Apple's approach to addressing logic flaws in web processing systems, which often require careful attention to state transitions and validation processes. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper state management in web applications and the potential for seemingly minor logic issues to create significant security risks. The remediation approach of improved state management provides a robust solution that prevents similar issues from occurring in future implementations.