CVE-2019-8834 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A configuration issue was addressed with additional restrictions. This issue is fixed in tvOS 13.3, watchOS 6.1.1, iCloud for Windows 10.9, macOS Catalina 10.15.2, Security Update 2019-002 Mojave, and Security Update 2019-007 High Sierra, iOS 13.3 and iPadOS 13.3, iTunes 12.10.3 for Windows, iCloud for Windows 7.16. An attacker in a privileged network position may be able to bypass HSTS for a limited number of specific top-level domains previously not in the HSTS preload list.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8834 represents a significant configuration flaw in Apple's implementation of HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) mechanisms across multiple operating systems and applications. This issue stems from inadequate restrictions in the HSTS preload list management, specifically affecting devices running tvOS 13.3, watchOS 6.1.1, macOS Catalina 10.15.2, and various iOS and iPadOS versions. The flaw allows attackers positioned in privileged network positions to bypass HSTS protections for certain top-level domains that were previously not included in Apple's HSTS preload list, creating a potential security gap that could undermine secure communication protocols.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of HSTS preload lists, where specific top-level domains that should have been included in the security restrictions were omitted from the comprehensive protection framework. This misconfiguration creates a window of opportunity for attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting and modifying traffic intended to be protected by HSTS. The vulnerability specifically impacts the enforcement of secure communication protocols, allowing malicious actors to downgrade connections from HTTPS to HTTP, potentially exposing sensitive data transmitted over these networks. This flaw operates at the intersection of network security and web application security, where the absence of proper HSTS enforcement creates exploitable conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8834 extends beyond simple protocol violations, as it fundamentally undermines the security assurances provided by HSTS implementations across Apple's ecosystem. Attackers with privileged network positions can exploit this vulnerability to bypass security measures designed to prevent protocol downgrade attacks, potentially gaining access to session cookies, authentication tokens, and other sensitive information transmitted over insecure connections. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Apple products and services, including iCloud for Windows, iTunes, and various iOS and macOS versions, creating a widespread security concern that could compromise user data across multiple platforms. This represents a critical weakness in the security infrastructure, as it allows attackers to circumvent fundamental security protections that are essential for maintaining secure communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8834 require immediate implementation of the security updates provided by Apple, including tvOS 13.3, watchOS 6.1.1, macOS Catalina 10.15.2, and the corresponding iOS and iPadOS versions. Organizations should ensure all affected systems receive the necessary patches, particularly focusing on the Security Update 2019-002 for Mojave and Security Update 2019-007 for High Sierra. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security teams should verify that HSTS preload lists are properly maintained and updated. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing additional restrictions that ensure all relevant top-level domains are properly included in the HSTS preload list, thereby preventing the bypass conditions that previously enabled this attack vector. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper HSTS implementation, and represents a potential technique in the ATT&CK framework under network infiltration methods where protocol downgrade attacks are employed to compromise secure communications.