CVE-2021-30752 in tvOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2021
Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to arbitrary code execution. This issue is fixed in macOS Big Sur 11.3, iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4, tvOS 14.5. An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved input validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Apple's operating systems that could enable remote code execution through image processing routines. The issue stems from an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the system processes specially crafted image files, allowing attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected devices. The vulnerability affects multiple Apple platforms including macOS Big Sur, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, highlighting the widespread impact across the company's ecosystem. The root cause lies in insufficient input validation mechanisms within the image processing libraries, which fail to properly sanitize or validate image file structures before attempting to parse their contents. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, specifically manifesting as an out-of-bounds read that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple image processing failures, as it creates a potential attack vector for sophisticated adversaries seeking to compromise Apple devices. Attackers could craft malicious image files designed to trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user data. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as simply opening or processing the malicious image file could trigger the malicious code execution. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter image files from untrusted sources, including email attachments, web downloads, or social media content. The security implications align with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes the use of local privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution techniques, and T1203 which covers the exploitation of software vulnerabilities through crafted input.
Apple's response to this vulnerability involved implementing improved input validation mechanisms within their image processing frameworks to prevent the out-of-bounds read condition from occurring. The fix was rolled out as part of security updates for macOS Big Sur 11.3, iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4, and tvOS 14.5, demonstrating the company's commitment to addressing security flaws in their operating systems. Organizations and individuals should prioritize applying these updates immediately to protect against potential exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy focuses on preventing the specific input validation failure that leads to the out-of-bounds read, which aligns with defensive techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for preventing privilege escalation and code execution attacks. Security professionals should monitor for any potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability while ensuring that all affected systems receive the necessary patches to maintain operational security.