CVE-2019-8761 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
This issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.1, Security Update 2019-001, and Security Update 2019-006, macOS Catalina 10.15. Parsing a maliciously crafted text file may lead to disclosure of user information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in macOS Catalina versions prior to 10.15.1, where improper validation of text file parsing operations could potentially expose sensitive user data. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms within the operating system's text processing components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to craft specially formatted text files that could trigger unintended data exposure behaviors. The vulnerability specifically affects the parsing functionality of the system's text handling libraries, which are fundamental components used across various applications and system services for processing user content.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves insufficient boundary checking and validation during text file interpretation processes, allowing crafted input to bypass normal security controls. When the system encounters maliciously constructed text files, the parsing engine fails to properly isolate or sanitize the input data, potentially causing the system to inadvertently reveal information from memory locations or system resources that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which covers improper input validation, and represents a classic case of insufficient sanitization leading to information disclosure. The attack vector typically involves social engineering techniques where users are诱导 to open malicious text files through phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8761 extends beyond simple data exposure, as the vulnerability could potentially enable attackers to gather sensitive information about user accounts, system configurations, or application data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The security implications are particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious text files through email attachments, file downloads, or web content. This vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised systems. The affected components operate at a low level within the operating system, making the impact more severe as they interact with core system functions and user data processing pipelines.
Organizations should prioritize applying the security updates released by Apple, specifically macOS Catalina 10.15.1 along with Security Update 2019-001 and Security Update 2019-006, which address the root cause through enhanced input validation and improved text parsing mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and consider deploying additional security controls such as application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted text processing operations. The mitigation strategy should include regular security patching, user education regarding safe file handling practices, and network-based protections to detect and block malicious text file delivery methods. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation controls in preventing information disclosure attacks and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1074.001 for data staging, where attackers might attempt to exploit similar parsing vulnerabilities to gather system information.