CVE-2019-8660 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.6, tvOS 12.4, watchOS 5.3. A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8660 represents a memory corruption flaw that existed within Apple's operating systems, specifically affecting iOS 12.3 and earlier versions, macOS Mojave 10.14.5 and earlier, tvOS 12.3 and earlier, and watchOS 5.2 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to exploit memory handling routines through crafted inputs. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed data structures that trigger unexpected behavior in memory management subsystems, potentially leading to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-121, which covers stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. These classifications indicate that the flaw involves improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes where attacker-controlled inputs can manipulate memory boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level or system framework layers where input validation should occur before data processing, but instead allows corrupted memory states to propagate through the system. The remote exploitation capability means that an attacker does not require physical access to the device, as malicious inputs can be delivered through network-based attacks such as malicious websites, email attachments, or compromised applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8660 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable arbitrary code execution, making it a critical security concern for all affected platforms. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause applications to terminate unexpectedly or allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted application. This capability provides attackers with a potential foothold for further system compromise, including privilege escalation to system-level access. The vulnerability affects the core operating system frameworks that handle user input processing, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through common user activities such as visiting malicious websites or opening compromised files. The remote nature of the attack vector means that organizations and individuals are at risk regardless of their physical location, as the exploit can be delivered through standard internet channels.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive input validation improvements in their security updates, specifically releasing iOS 12.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.6, tvOS 12.4, and watchOS 5.3. These updates implement stricter memory management controls and enhanced input sanitization routines that prevent malformed data from causing memory corruption. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these security patches across all affected devices to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code through compromised applications. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider deploying additional security controls such as application whitelisting and network segmentation to reduce the attack surface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining systems that may not have received the necessary updates, as the memory corruption nature of this flaw makes it particularly suitable for advanced persistent threat actors seeking long-term system access.