CVE-2019-8679 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 • 11/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8679 represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting multiple Apple operating systems and applications. This flaw resides in the core memory management mechanisms of iOS 12.3, macOS Mojave 10.14.5, and tvOS 12.3, where improper memory handling creates exploitable conditions that could be leveraged by attackers. The vulnerability specifically impacts web content processing capabilities within Safari and related applications, making it particularly dangerous in browser-based attack scenarios. Security researchers have categorized this issue under memory corruption vulnerabilities that align with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level where memory allocation and deallocation processes fail to properly validate input data, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious web content that triggers memory corruption during normal processing operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8679 extends beyond simple memory corruption to enable arbitrary code execution capabilities, representing a severe privilege escalation vector. When users encounter maliciously crafted web content, the flawed memory handling mechanisms can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability affects not only Safari but also the broader ecosystem including iTunes and iCloud applications for Windows, demonstrating the widespread nature of the memory handling flaw. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks and social engineering campaigns. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the memory corruption can be leveraged to gain elevated privileges within the operating system.
The remediation for CVE-2019-8679 was implemented through comprehensive memory handling improvements across all affected platforms, with Apple releasing security updates for iOS 12.4, macOS Mojave 10.14.6, tvOS 12.4, and updated versions of Safari 12.1.2, iTunes for Windows 12.9.6, and iCloud for Windows 7.13 and 10.6. These patches strengthened memory allocation validation, improved buffer overflow protections, and enhanced input sanitization mechanisms to prevent the exploitation conditions that previously existed. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these security updates across all affected systems, particularly in enterprise environments where users may be exposed to untrusted web content. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in preventing sophisticated exploitation techniques, and the implementation of robust input validation mechanisms that can defend against both known and emerging attack vectors targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor network traffic for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability.