CVE-2019-8736 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
An input validation issue was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.1, Security Update 2019-001, and Security Update 2019-006, macOS Catalina 10.15. An attacker in a privileged network position may be able to leak sensitive user information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8736 represents a critical input validation flaw that existed within macOS operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to the release of macOS Catalina 10.15.1 and the corresponding security updates 2019-001 and 2019-006. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that failed to properly sanitize user inputs, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust in validated data streams. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-20, which encompasses input validation weaknesses that can lead to various security breaches including information disclosure and privilege escalation. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes user-supplied data without adequate sanitization, potentially allowing an attacker positioned within a privileged network segment to intercept and extract sensitive user information from system communications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to occupy a position within the network that allows them to monitor or manipulate traffic between network nodes. This scenario typically involves man-in-the-middle attacks or compromised network infrastructure where the attacker can observe data flows and potentially inject malicious payloads. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data interception as it enables unauthorized access to user credentials, session tokens, and other sensitive information that may be transmitted through the affected system components. The attack vector leverages the system's failure to properly validate input parameters, which can result in information leakage during normal system operations when legitimate user data is processed through vulnerable code paths.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on macOS systems for their computing infrastructure, particularly in environments where network security is not adequately segmented or monitored. The potential for sensitive data exposure creates substantial compliance and regulatory concerns, especially in industries governed by standards such as pci dss, hipaa, or gdpr that mandate strict protection of user information. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to cascading security incidents including credential theft, session hijacking, and unauthorized access to corporate resources. Security professionals must consider the implications of this flaw when conducting risk assessments and implementing security controls, as the vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate data leakage to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. The issue's resolution through specific security updates demonstrates the importance of maintaining current system patches and the potential consequences of delaying critical security maintenance.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include immediate deployment of the recommended security updates, network traffic monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, and enhanced input validation controls at network boundaries. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth as outlined in nist cybersecurity framework, emphasizing the need for multiple layers of protection. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of network-based attacks and establish continuous monitoring protocols to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and the potential consequences of operating systems with known vulnerabilities, particularly in environments where network trust assumptions may be compromised.