CVE-2019-8769 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue existed in the drawing of web page elements. The issue was addressed with improved logic. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1, macOS Catalina 10.15. Visiting a maliciously crafted website may reveal browsing history.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8769 represents a significant security flaw in Apple's web rendering engine that affected multiple operating systems including iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This issue specifically pertained to how web page elements were drawn and rendered within the browser environment, creating a potential information disclosure vulnerability that could be exploited through maliciously crafted websites. The flaw existed in the underlying rendering logic that processes and displays web content, allowing attackers to potentially access sensitive user data through carefully constructed web pages. The vulnerability was classified under CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure" in software systems, and could be leveraged to compromise user privacy and browsing security. The issue was particularly concerning because it operated at the rendering layer where user interactions with web content were processed, making it a critical vector for information leakage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involved a flaw in the web page element drawing logic that failed to properly isolate or secure the rendering process from malicious input. When users visited compromised websites, the flawed rendering engine could inadvertently expose browsing history or other sensitive information through the way it handled visual elements and their interactions. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework category of T1566, "Phishing", as it leveraged web-based attacks to gain unauthorized access to user data. The vulnerability exploited the difference between how legitimate and malicious web content was processed during rendering, creating a side-channel information leak that could be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or direct system access. The flaw was particularly dangerous because it could be triggered simply by visiting a malicious website, making it a passive threat that required no user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8769 was substantial as it created a persistent threat vector that could be exploited across multiple Apple platforms simultaneously. Users were at risk of having their browsing history, visited websites, and potentially other sensitive data exposed to attackers who could craft malicious web pages to exploit this vulnerability. The issue affected all versions of iOS and macOS prior to the patched releases, meaning that users who had not updated their systems were continuously vulnerable to this information disclosure threat. Organizations with Apple device fleets faced increased risk of data breaches and privacy violations, as the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against employees or customers who accessed malicious websites through their Apple devices. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of timely patch management and the potential for rendering engine flaws to create widespread security impacts across multiple platforms.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive updates released as part of iOS 13.1, iPadOS 13.1, and macOS Catalina 10.15. The fix implemented improved logic in the web rendering engine that properly isolated the drawing process from potentially malicious input and prevented the information leakage that occurred in previous versions. Security researchers who identified the vulnerability noted that the patch strengthened the boundary checking and input validation mechanisms within the rendering engine, ensuring that web page elements were properly sanitized before being displayed. Organizations should have implemented immediate patch deployment to protect their users and systems from exploitation of this vulnerability, as the window of exposure was significant given the widespread use of affected Apple platforms. The remediation efforts demonstrated the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the critical role that browser rendering engines play in overall system security posture. The vulnerability also reinforced the need for continuous security monitoring and the importance of addressing rendering engine flaws that could create information disclosure risks across multiple operating systems.