CVE-2019-8816 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in iOS 13.2 and iPadOS 13.2, tvOS 13.2, watchOS 6.1, Safari 13.0.3, iTunes for Windows 12.10.2, iCloud for Windows 11.0, iCloud for Windows 7.15. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8816 represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting multiple Apple operating systems and applications. This flaw resides in the fundamental memory management mechanisms that govern how applications handle allocated memory segments, potentially allowing attackers to exploit improperly managed memory regions through carefully crafted web content. The vulnerability affects iOS 13.2 and iPadOS 13.2, tvOS 13.2, watchOS 6.1, Safari 13.0.3, iTunes for Windows 12.10.2, iCloud for Windows 11.0, and iCloud for Windows 7.15, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem. The memory corruption issues stem from inadequate memory handling practices that fail to properly validate or sanitize memory operations during web content processing. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common manifestations of improper memory handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8816 extends beyond simple memory corruption to potentially enable arbitrary code execution on affected systems. When users encounter maliciously crafted web content, the vulnerability can be triggered through normal browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway typically involves web browsers or applications that process untrusted web content, making it particularly concerning for users who frequently browse the internet or access potentially malicious websites. The memory corruption can manifest through various attack vectors including malicious JavaScript, HTML content, or specially crafted media files that cause memory management functions to behave unpredictably. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can execute malicious code through web-based attack surfaces.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend to enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious web content during routine operations. Organizations using Apple devices for business purposes face significant risk as attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to corporate networks through seemingly legitimate browsing activities. The fix implemented in the affected versions addresses the root causes of memory handling issues by introducing improved memory validation mechanisms and enhanced bounds checking procedures. These mitigations ensure that memory operations properly validate input parameters and prevent access to unauthorized memory regions. The remediation process involves updating all affected Apple operating systems and applications to their patched versions, with particular attention to Safari and other web browsing components that are most likely to encounter malicious content. Security professionals should prioritize patching these vulnerabilities as they represent a significant attack surface for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access to target systems. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue underscores the importance of proper memory management practices in application development and the critical need for regular security updates to address such fundamental flaws in system architecture.