CVE-2019-8830 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in tvOS 13.3, watchOS 6.1.1, macOS Catalina 10.15.2, Security Update 2019-002 Mojave, and Security Update 2019-007 High Sierra, iOS 13.3 and iPadOS 13.3, iOS 12.4.4, watchOS 5.3.4. Processing malicious video via FaceTime may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8830 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that was discovered in Apple's multimedia processing frameworks. This issue specifically affects the FaceTime application's handling of video data streams, where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted video content to trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during video frame processing, creating a scenario where the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such flaws typically arise from inadequate parameter validation in multimedia codecs and video processing pipelines, making them particularly dangerous in applications that handle untrusted media content from network sources. The affected systems include multiple Apple operating systems spanning iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS versions, indicating a widespread impact across Apple's ecosystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the FaceTime video processing pipeline where malicious video content can be transmitted to target devices. When the vulnerable application attempts to decode and render the crafted video, the out-of-bounds read causes the application to access memory locations outside its intended buffer, potentially leading to information disclosure or arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. The attack vector specifically targets the video processing components within FaceTime, leveraging the application's trust in incoming media data without sufficient validation of frame dimensions, encoding parameters, or buffer sizes. The exploitability is heightened because FaceTime operates in a privileged context on mobile devices, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for user privacy and system integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides a potential pathway for remote code execution on affected devices. Attackers can craft malicious video streams that, when processed by vulnerable FaceTime implementations, could allow them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the FaceTime application. This represents a significant threat to user security since FaceTime applications typically have access to device cameras, microphones, and network connectivity. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Apple operating systems including iOS 12.4.4, iOS 13.3, macOS Catalina 10.15.2, and watchOS 5.3.4 indicates that attackers could target various device types within Apple's ecosystem. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through FaceTime communications, while also representing a privilege escalation vector through code execution in a trusted application context.
Apple addressed this vulnerability through comprehensive input validation improvements across all affected operating system versions, implementing stricter bounds checking in the video processing components of FaceTime. The security updates include enhanced parameter validation for video frame dimensions, buffer size verification, and improved error handling during video stream processing. These mitigations specifically target the root cause by ensuring that all incoming video data undergoes rigorous validation before being processed by the multimedia codecs. The fixes align with industry best practices for preventing out-of-bounds memory access issues and represent a proactive approach to securing multimedia processing pipelines. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these security updates across all affected Apple devices, as the vulnerability's potential for remote code execution makes it a critical priority for security teams. The resolution demonstrates Apple's commitment to addressing memory safety issues in their multimedia frameworks, particularly those affecting applications that handle network-based media content.