CVE-2019-8767 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A memory consumption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.1, Security Update 2019-001, and Security Update 2019-006, macOS Catalina 10.15. Processing a maliciously crafted string may lead to heap corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8767 represents a critical memory consumption issue that affects macOS systems, specifically targeting the operating system's memory management capabilities. This flaw manifests as a heap corruption vulnerability that can be triggered through the processing of maliciously crafted strings, potentially leading to system instability and unauthorized access. The issue was particularly concerning as it could be exploited by attackers to consume excessive system resources, potentially causing denial of service conditions or more severe security breaches. The vulnerability was addressed through comprehensive memory handling improvements implemented in the aforementioned security updates.
The technical flaw underlying CVE-2019-8767 stems from inadequate memory management during string processing operations within the macOS kernel and system libraries. When the system encounters a maliciously crafted string, the improper memory allocation and handling mechanisms cause heap corruption, which can result in unpredictable behavior including system crashes, application instability, or potential privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-122 category of "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and resource exhaustion. The heap corruption occurs because the system fails to properly validate string lengths and memory boundaries during processing, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8767 extends beyond simple system instability, as it could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code or gain elevated privileges within the affected macOS environment. Systems running versions prior to macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or without the applicable security patches remain vulnerable to exploitation, making them potential targets for malicious actors seeking to compromise macOS devices. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is particularly significant in enterprise environments where macOS devices are prevalent, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data or facilitate further attacks within the network infrastructure. Organizations with legacy macOS systems or those that have not applied the necessary security updates face heightened risk of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8767 require immediate deployment of the applicable security updates, specifically macOS Catalina 10.15.1 along with Security Update 2019-001 and Security Update 2019-006. System administrators should prioritize patch management processes to ensure all macOS devices receive these critical updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring to detect unusual memory consumption patterns, establishing robust application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems that may have been compromised. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify and alert on anomalous memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility with existing applications and system configurations.