CVE-2019-8835 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in tvOS 13.3, iCloud for Windows 10.9, iOS 13.3 and iPadOS 13.3, Safari 13.0.4, iTunes 12.10.3 for Windows, iCloud for Windows 7.16. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8835 represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting multiple Apple operating systems and applications including tvOS, iOS, iPadOS, Safari, and iCloud for Windows. This flaw stems from inadequate memory handling mechanisms that fail to properly validate or manage memory allocation during processing of web content. The vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to execute arbitrary code remotely, making them highly attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise user systems. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common manifestations of improper memory handling.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when maliciously crafted web content is processed by affected applications, particularly those with web rendering capabilities such as Safari and web-based components in iOS and tvOS environments. When users encounter or interact with specially designed web pages, the flawed memory handling causes the application to either read from or write to memory locations outside of its intended boundaries. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical program data, function pointers, or execute shellcode directly within the application's memory space. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks that can compromise systems without user awareness.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8835 extends across Apple's entire ecosystem, affecting not only mobile devices but also desktop operating systems and cloud services. The vulnerability's presence in Safari 13.0.4, iTunes 12.10.3, and iCloud for Windows 10.9 means that users across multiple platforms face potential compromise, with the attack surface expanding to include web-based email clients, cloud storage access, and mobile device management systems. The arbitrary code execution capability allows attackers to bypass standard security controls, potentially enabling full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8835 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment across all affected platforms, with Apple releasing updates to iOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, tvOS 13.3, Safari 13.0.4, iTunes 12.10.3 for Windows, and iCloud for Windows 7.16. Organizations should implement proactive monitoring for suspicious web traffic and content, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted web content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should also consider implementing browser hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary web features, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing technologies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption issues that may exist in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.