CVE-2019-8776 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with system privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8776 represents a critical memory corruption flaw that existed in Apple's operating system prior to the release of macOS Catalina 10.15. This issue stems from inadequate memory handling mechanisms within the system's kernel or core frameworks, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory management weaknesses. The vulnerability manifests when an application attempts to manipulate memory in ways that exceed normal operational boundaries, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that are commonly classified under CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-416 Use After Free respectively.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8776 extends beyond typical application-level vulnerabilities due to its potential to grant system-level privileges to malicious code. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the system itself, effectively compromising the entire operating environment. This privilege escalation capability aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1068, which covers local privilege escalation methods. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires an application to be running with sufficient privileges to trigger the memory corruption, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently execute malicious software or where applications are granted elevated permissions.
The remediation for CVE-2019-8776 was implemented through enhanced memory management protocols in macOS Catalina 10.15, which introduced improved memory handling mechanisms to prevent the conditions that led to the corruption. These improvements likely included better bounds checking, memory allocation validation, and enhanced sandboxing controls that prevent applications from accessing memory regions they shouldn't. Organizations should prioritize deployment of macOS Catalina 10.15 across their infrastructure to mitigate this vulnerability, as the fix addresses fundamental memory management issues that could be leveraged for persistent system compromise. The vulnerability's resolution demonstrates Apple's commitment to addressing low-level memory corruption issues that could undermine the security foundation of their operating system, aligning with industry best practices for maintaining secure kernel operations and preventing privilege escalation attacks that could lead to complete system compromise.