CVE-2019-8717 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15, tvOS 13. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw that existed in Apple's operating systems prior to the release of macOS Catalina 10.15 and tvOS 13. The issue stems from inadequate memory handling mechanisms within the kernel, creating a pathway for malicious applications to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with the highest level of system permissions. The vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-level exploits that can fundamentally compromise system integrity and security posture.
The technical nature of this flaw involves improper memory management practices that allow an attacker-controlled application to manipulate kernel memory structures. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the system fails to properly validate memory boundaries or handle memory allocation requests, creating opportunities for buffer overflows or memory corruption that can be leveraged by malicious software. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and memory safety mechanisms that are fundamental to secure system operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides a direct path to kernel-level privilege escalation. An application that successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected system, enabling it to bypass all normal security restrictions and access protected system resources. This capability allows for persistent malware deployment, data exfiltration, system monitoring, and complete system compromise without user interaction or explicit authorization. The vulnerability essentially removes the fundamental security boundaries that protect the kernel from user-space applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to the patched versions of macOS Catalina 10.15 and tvOS 13, which contain improved memory handling mechanisms that address the underlying flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation, application whitelisting, and monitoring for suspicious privilege escalation activities. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework where privilege escalation represents a critical step in achieving persistent system compromise.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of memory safety practices and adherence to secure coding standards such as those recommended by the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards and the CWE database classification system. This particular flaw likely corresponds to CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions, or similar memory corruption categories that have been extensively documented in security research. The remediation process highlights the necessity of regular security updates and the critical role that proper memory management plays in maintaining system integrity.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability represents a high-value target for advanced persistent threat actors and nation-state attackers who seek to establish persistent footholds within target environments. The ability to execute code with kernel privileges creates opportunities for creating backdoors, installing rootkits, and maintaining long-term access to compromised systems. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader risk assessment and implement layered defense strategies to protect against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in other system components or third-party applications.