CVE-2019-8809 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A validation issue was addressed with improved logic. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15, iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1, tvOS 13, watchOS 6, iOS 13. A local app may be able to read a persistent account identifier.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8809 represents a validation flaw in Apple's operating systems that allows local applications to potentially access persistent account identifiers. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the system's account management framework, creating a pathway for unauthorized data disclosure. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS Catalina, iOS 13, iPadOS 13, tvOS 13, and watchOS 6, indicating a systemic weakness in the company's account identification system that spans across its ecosystem. The root cause lies in the inadequate logic used to validate account identifier access permissions, which could enable malicious applications to bypass normal security boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests as a validation issue that permits local applications to read persistent account identifiers without proper authorization checks. This represents a significant security gap in Apple's access control mechanisms, where the system fails to adequately verify whether an application has legitimate rights to access account-specific data. The vulnerability falls under CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, specifically targeting the inadequate validation of account identifier access. Attackers could exploit this weakness to obtain sensitive persistent identifiers that might be used for tracking, profiling, or further exploitation within the compromised system. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation through unauthorized data access, where local applications can circumvent normal security boundaries and obtain account-related information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data disclosure, as persistent account identifiers can serve as valuable intelligence for attackers seeking to maintain long-term access or conduct targeted attacks. These identifiers often contain unique system-level information that can be leveraged for correlation attacks, credential harvesting, or establishing persistence within affected systems. The vulnerability affects all Apple devices running the affected versions, creating a widespread security concern across the company's product portfolio. Organizations and individual users with impacted systems face increased risk of targeted attacks, as the compromised account identifiers could potentially be used to track user behavior or facilitate more sophisticated exploitation techniques. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 which involves discovering information about the system environment, particularly focusing on account information and system identifiers.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive updates released as part of macOS Catalina 10.15, iOS 13.1, iPadOS 13.1, tvOS 13, and watchOS 6. The fix involved implementing improved validation logic that properly enforces access controls for persistent account identifiers, ensuring that only authorized applications can access this sensitive data. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these security updates across all affected devices to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Users should also verify that their systems are running the patched versions and consider implementing additional security monitoring to detect any unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy should include regular security updates, proper application vetting, and monitoring for unauthorized access to account-related information. System administrators should also review application permissions and access controls to ensure that local applications have appropriate authorization levels for accessing system identifiers.