CVE-2019-8695 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Mojave 10.14.6. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with system privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw that existed in Apple's macOS operating system, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.14.6. The issue stems from inadequate memory handling mechanisms within the system's core components, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with system-level access. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and privilege escalation. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that leverage the flawed memory management to bypass system security controls and gain elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2019-8695 demonstrates how improper memory handling can create dangerous attack vectors in operating system environments. When applications attempt to access memory locations beyond their allocated boundaries, the system's memory management subsystem may fail to properly validate these operations, leading to unpredictable behavior that attackers can manipulate. This particular flaw allows for privilege escalation because the vulnerable memory handling occurs within system-level processes that are responsible for enforcing access controls and security boundaries. The issue affects the kernel-level memory management functions that are critical to maintaining the security model of macOS, making it particularly dangerous for attackers seeking persistent system control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of macOS by allowing unauthorized privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete system control without requiring user interaction or additional authentication mechanisms. This represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where macOS systems may be running vulnerable versions of the operating system, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. The vulnerability's exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1059, which covers execution through system commands and scripts.
System administrators and security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of macOS systems to address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open for systems running versions prior to 10.14.6. The fix implemented by Apple involves enhanced memory handling procedures that properly validate memory access operations and prevent out-of-bounds reads that could lead to privilege escalation. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious process behavior and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include maintaining up-to-date system patches, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security assessments of macOS environments. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in operating system security and the potential consequences when these mechanisms fail to properly validate memory operations.