CVE-2019-8802 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
A validation issue was addressed with improved logic. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.1. A malicious application may be able to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8802 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw in macOS systems that was resolved through enhanced validation logic in macOS Catalina 10.15.1. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the operating system's security mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that could allow a malicious application to elevate its privileges to the root level. The flaw specifically affects the system's ability to properly validate application integrity and authorization requests, potentially enabling unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental security weakness. Attackers could exploit this condition by crafting malicious applications that manipulate the validation process, bypassing normal security boundaries that typically prevent applications from gaining root access. The vulnerability operates at a system level where legitimate applications are validated against security policies, but the flawed implementation allows malicious code to pass these checks undetected. This type of flaw represents a significant concern in operating system security as it undermines the core principle of privilege separation that protects system integrity.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2019-8802 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire system environments. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain root privileges that provide complete control over the affected macOS system, including access to all user data, system files, and network resources. The attack vector typically involves social engineering or exploitation of other initial access points, followed by the privilege escalation using the validation flaw. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through system flaws, and T1548.001, covering abuse of root privileges.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2019-8802 primarily involves immediate deployment of macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or later versions where Apple has implemented improved validation logic. System administrators should prioritize patching efforts and verify that all endpoints have been updated to prevent exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, monitoring for unusual privilege escalation activities, and maintaining comprehensive system integrity monitoring. The fix addresses the root cause by strengthening the validation procedures that check application authenticity and authorization requests, ensuring that only properly signed and authorized applications can gain elevated privileges. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence regarding similar vulnerabilities in the macOS ecosystem.