CVE-2019-8846 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management. 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-2019-8846 represents a critical use-after-free condition that emerged in Apple's ecosystem across multiple platforms including iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and Safari browsers. This memory management flaw occurs when an application continues to reference memory locations that have already been freed or deallocated, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to the security updates released in iOS 13.3, tvOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, Safari 13.0.4, and corresponding iCloud for Windows versions 10.9 and 7.16. The issue stems from inadequate memory management practices during the processing of web content, where the system fails to properly validate memory references after deallocation, leading to potential exploitation through crafted web pages or content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of memory objects within Apple's web rendering engines and browser components. When processing maliciously crafted web content, the system may execute code that leverages the freed memory pointers to redirect execution flow or inject malicious payloads. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of use-after-free conditions, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices. The attack surface extends to web browsers and applications that process external content, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users regularly interact with untrusted web materials. The exploitation mechanism typically involves triggering the vulnerable code path through carefully constructed web pages that force the system to free memory and then subsequently reference it, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8846 is significant across Apple's mobile and desktop platforms, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond visiting malicious web content. This vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where Apple devices are prevalent, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised systems. The widespread nature of the affected software components, including Safari browsers, iCloud applications, and operating system frameworks, increases the attack surface considerably. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises and recognize the potential for advanced persistent threats that could leverage this flaw to establish backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive data from targeted environments. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to code injection and privilege escalation, making it particularly concerning for security professionals managing Apple-based infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8846 primarily involve applying the security patches released by Apple in their respective software updates. Organizations should prioritize updating iOS 13.3, tvOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, Safari 13.0.4, and iCloud for Windows 10.9 and 7.16 to ensure protection against this vulnerability. System administrators should implement automated update mechanisms to maintain current security patches across all affected Apple devices within their networks. Additional protective measures include deploying web filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious content, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of Apple-based environments. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous execution patterns potentially indicative of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's resolution through improved memory management demonstrates Apple's ongoing efforts to address memory safety issues, but organizations must remain vigilant about applying patches promptly to maintain their security posture against similar threats that may emerge in the future.