CVE-2019-8732 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
The issue was addressed with improved data deletion. This issue is fixed in iOS 13. Deleted calls remained visible on the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-8732 represents a critical data retention flaw within iOS 13 that undermines user privacy and data protection expectations. This security issue specifically affects how the operating system handles the deletion of call logs, creating a persistent exposure of sensitive communication data that should have been permanently removed from the device. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the system's data sanitization processes, where deleted call records continue to exist in a visible state within the device's memory, potentially accessible through various recovery mechanisms or forensic tools.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate data deletion procedures within the iOS call history management system. When users delete call logs from their devices, the system should ensure complete removal of all associated data from storage media and memory structures. However, this flaw allows residual data fragments to persist in memory locations, creating a data leakage scenario that violates basic privacy principles. The vulnerability operates at the system level where call metadata, including timestamps, phone numbers, and call duration information, remains accessible even after the deletion process has been initiated. This represents a failure in secure deletion practices and highlights issues with memory management and data sanitization protocols within the mobile operating system architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential security risks for users who rely on the device for sensitive communications. Attackers or malicious actors with access to the device could potentially recover deleted call information through forensic analysis or specialized recovery tools, compromising personal relationships, business communications, or sensitive professional interactions. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active even after users believe they have properly deleted their communication history, undermining trust in the device's privacy protection capabilities. This issue particularly affects users who handle confidential information or operate in environments where communication privacy is paramount, as the continued visibility of deleted calls could expose sensitive business or personal data to unauthorized parties.
The flaw aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represents a failure in proper data sanitization practices that should be addressed through secure deletion protocols. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques related to credential access and information gathering, as it provides persistent access to communication metadata that could be used for social engineering or targeted attacks. The issue also demonstrates weaknesses in the system's data lifecycle management, where the transition from active data state to deleted state does not properly implement secure deletion mechanisms. Users who delete calls expecting complete privacy may unknowingly leave traces of their communication patterns that could be exploited for surveillance or malicious purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates and patches from Apple to address the underlying data deletion implementation. Users should ensure their devices are running the latest iOS version that includes the fix for this vulnerability, as the issue was resolved through improved data deletion mechanisms. Organizations should conduct security assessments to identify any potential exposure from this vulnerability and implement additional monitoring for unauthorized access to device data. The fix likely involves enhanced memory clearing procedures and proper data sanitization protocols that ensure complete removal of call history information from all storage locations, including temporary memory areas and cache structures. Regular security audits and penetration testing should verify that data deletion processes function correctly and that no residual data remains accessible after deletion operations.