CVE-2019-8671 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 12.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.6, tvOS 12.4, 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 arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8671 represents a critical memory corruption issue that affected multiple Apple operating systems and applications. This flaw emerged from inadequate memory handling practices within Apple's software ecosystem, specifically impacting iOS 12.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.6, tvOS 12.4, Safari 12.1.2, iTunes for Windows 12.9.6, and various iCloud for Windows versions. The vulnerability stems from the improper management of memory allocation and deallocation processes, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. The memory corruption issues manifest when the affected applications process specially crafted web content, which can trigger unpredictable behavior in the application's memory management subsystem.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These memory handling flaws typically occur when applications fail to properly validate buffer boundaries or when memory is freed prematurely while still being referenced. The exploitation of CVE-2019-8671 requires attackers to craft malicious web content that, when rendered by the affected applications, triggers the corrupted memory states. This process can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to bypass security protections and potentially gain full control over affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects web browsers and applications that frequently process external content, making it highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack surfaces within Apple's ecosystem, creating significant security risks for end users and organizations. When exploited, the memory corruption can result in complete system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's presence in Safari and related applications means that users could be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites or opening compromised web content. The affected versions of iTunes and iCloud for Windows further extend the attack surface to desktop environments, potentially allowing attackers to target users across multiple platforms. Organizations relying on Apple products for business operations face heightened risk of data breaches and system compromise, particularly in environments where users regularly access web content from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8671 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves updating all affected systems to their patched versions, specifically iOS 12.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.6, tvOS 12.4, Safari 12.1.2, iTunes for Windows 12.9.6, and the corresponding iCloud for Windows versions. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management policies to ensure all endpoints receive updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing web content filtering solutions, disabling automatic web content rendering for untrusted sources, and employing sandboxing techniques to limit potential exploitation impact. Network monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, indicates that defensive measures should include endpoint detection and response capabilities to identify and block malicious code execution attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust network architectures that minimize the attack surface and reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts.