CVE-2019-8795 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.2 and iPadOS 13.2, tvOS 13.2. An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with system privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8795 represents a critical memory corruption flaw that existed within Apple's iOS operating system prior to version 13.2. This issue stems from inadequate memory management practices that could potentially allow malicious applications to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with system-level access. The flaw demonstrates the inherent risks associated with improper memory handling in mobile operating systems where applications typically operate under restricted environments but could theoretically exploit such vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer, and reflects the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that have historically been primary attack vectors for sophisticated exploits. When an application can manipulate memory in unintended ways, it creates opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical system structures, inject malicious code, or bypass security mechanisms that normally prevent unauthorized access to system resources. The memory corruption aspect specifically indicates that the vulnerability allows for manipulation of memory contents in ways that were not properly validated or restricted by the operating system's memory management subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8795 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data theft capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain complete control over the affected device, potentially accessing sensitive user data, intercepting communications, or using the compromised device as a pivot point for attacks on other systems. The fact that this vulnerability affects iOS 13.2 and later versions indicates that Apple recognized the severity of the issue and implemented specific memory handling improvements to prevent such exploitation scenarios. This vulnerability exemplifies the attack surface that exists when applications can manipulate system memory through improper validation or insufficient bounds checking.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8795 primarily focus on prompt system updates and adherence to Apple's security recommendations. Organizations should ensure all iOS devices are updated to version 13.2 or later to receive the memory handling improvements that address this specific vulnerability. The fix likely incorporates enhanced memory management techniques including improved bounds checking, stack canary implementations, and more rigorous validation of memory operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability would map to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage memory corruption to move from user-level processes to system-level execution, potentially enabling further lateral movement and persistent access within compromised environments. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious application behavior and maintain awareness of similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in other system components or third-party applications.